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_ PUBLICATIONS 





THE ATHENIAN SOCIETY'S 











250 Copies of this work have been privately 
printed on ovdinary paper solely for distribution 
amongst the Members of the Athenian Society. 
None of these copies ave for sale. 

5 Special Copies have also been privately 


printed on Japanese Vellum. None of these copies 
ave for sale. 


The Council of the Society pledge themselves 
never to vepyint nov to ve-issue in any form. 


This Copy is No. 3 2 


LITERALLY AND COMPLETELY TRANSLATED 
FROM THE GREEK, WITH INTRODUCTION 
AND NOTES 


AT. HENS : PRIVATELY PRINTED FOR THE 
ATHENIAN SOCIETY: MDCCCXCVI 





Seaalths 5 
ED ὁπ Ὸ0 
cae 


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τυ ᾿ς 
κυ 
ΔΎ F 
ΝΥ] 


wis ἷ 
χὰ δὴ 
Ἐπ Αγ ied 


ἐν 
Ὁ Ὸ 


; ; we Prat 
yee ( 


ἜΝ 
ΓΝ “ας 


Si 





ἐδ νηῶν. 


PAse2 


A3 
1396 


INTRODUCTION 


ALCIPHRON was a Greek sophist, 
and one of the most eminent of the 
Greek epistolographers. We have no 
direct information of any kind respect- 
ing his life or the age in which he 
, lived. Some assign him to the fifth 
ς΄ century a.p.; others, to the period 
q between Lucian and Aristaenetus 
; (170-350 Α.}.); while others again 
are of opinion that he lived before 
᾿ Lucian. The only circumstance that , 
‘ suggests anything in regard to the 
ἷ period at which he lived is the fact 








that, amongst the letters of Aristae- 
netus, there are two which passed be- 
tween Lucian and Alciphron; and, as 
Aristaenetus is generally trustworthy, 


vi INTRODUCTION 


we may infer that Alciphron was a 
contemporary of Lucian, which is not 
incompatible with the opinion, true or 
false, that he imitated him. 

It cannot be proved that Alci- 
phron, any more than Aristaenetus, 
was a real name. It is probable that 
there was a well-known sophist of 
that name in the second century A.p., 
but it does not follow that he wrote 
the letters. 

The letters, as we have them, are 
divided into three books. Their ob- 
ject is to delineate the characters of 
certain classes of persons by intro- 
ducing them as expressing their pe- 
culiar sentiments and opinions upon 
subjects with which they are familiar. 
For this purpose Alciphron chose 
country people, fishermen, parasites, 
and courtesans. All are made to ex- 
press themselves in most elegant and 
graceful language, even where the 


ποι wee Δικ alk 


INTRODUCTION rete 


subjects are low and obscene. The 
characters are thus to some extent 
raised above the ordinary standard, 
without any great violence being done 
to the truth of the reality. The form 
of these letters is very beautiful, and 
the language in which they are written 
is the purest Attic. The scene 1s, 
with few exceptions, Athens and its 
neighbourhood; the time, some period 
after the reign of Alexander the 
Great, as is clear from the letters of 
the second book. The New Attic 
comedy was the chief source from 
which Alciphron derived his mate- 
rial, and the letters contain much 
valuable information in regard to the 
characters and manners he describes, 
and the private life of the Athenians. 
We come across some remarkably 
modern touches, as the thimble-rigger 
at the fair and the claqueurs at the 
theatre. Alciphron perhaps imitated 


viii INTRODUCTION 


Lucian in style; but the spirit in 
which he treats his subjects is very 
different, and far more refined. 

In the great majority of cases the 
names in the headings of the letters, 
which seem very clumsy in an English 
dress, are fictitious, and are purposely 
coined to express some characteristic 
of the persons between whom they 
are supposed to pass. 

In the volume of ‘‘Lucian”’ in this 
series some account has been given 
of the courtesans of Athens. It will 
here be interesting to describe briefly 
another curious class of personages, 
the parasites—a word which has had 
a remarkable history. 

Originally, amongst the Greeks, 
the parasites were persons who held 
special functions. They had a right, 
like the priests, to a certain portion 
of the sacrificial victims, and their 
particular duty was to look after 
the storage and keep of the sacred 


INTRODUCTION sa ig 


corn, hence their name. They en- 
joyed an honourable position, and 
the Athenians resigned to them even 
the management of the temples, which 
gave them rank next to the priests. 

Soon, after the example of Apollo, 
the richest citizens looked out for 
witty table - companions, to amuse 
them with jests, and flatter them in 
proportion to their importance and 
liberality. By degrees, however, these 
parasites, lending themselves to ridi- 
cule, fell into discredit and contempt. 
The name, diverted from its etymo- 
logical signification, was applied to 
every haunter of the tables of the 
rich, to every sponger for a free meal, 
to every shameless flatterer who, in 
order to satisfy the needs of his 
stomach, consented to divert the 
company and patiently endure the 
insults which it pleased the master of 
the house to heap upon him. 

At first this was by no means 


x INTRODUCTION 


the case with all parasites. Gaiety, 
audacity, liveliness, good humour, a 
knowledge of the culinary art, and 
sometimes even a _ certain amount 
of independence lent an additional 
charm to the members of the _ pro- 
fession. One of the most famous of 
parasites was Philoxenus of Leucas, 
of whom we read in Athenaeus. It 
was his practice, whether at home or 
abroad, after he had been to the bath, 
to go round the houses of the prin- 
cipal citizens, followed by boys carry- 
ing in a basket oil, vinegar, fish-sauce, 
and other condiments. After he had 
made his choice, Philoxenus, who was 
a great gourmand, entered without 
ceremony, took his seat at table, and 
did honour to the repast before him. 
One day, at Ephesus, finding that 
there was nothing left in the market, 
he asked the reason. Being told 
that everything had been bought up 


INTRODUCTION xi 


for a wedding festival, he washed 
and dressed himself, and deliberately 
walked to the house of the  bride- 
eroom, by whom he was well re- 
ceived. He took his seat at table, 
ate, drank, sang an epithalamium or 
marriage - song, and delighted the 


guests. “1 hope you will dine here 
to-morrow,” said the host. ‘‘ Yes,”’ 
answered Philoxenus, ‘if you lay 


violent hands upon the market as you 
have done to-day.” “41 wish I had 
a crane’s neck,” he sometimes ex- 
claimed; ‘‘then I should be able to 
relish the flavour of the food for a 
longer time.’’ Dionysius, the tyrant 
of Syracuse, who knew that he was 
very fond of fish, invited him to 
dinner, and, while an enormous mullet 
was set before himself, sent his guest 
a very small one. Without being in 
the least disconcerted, Philoxenus took 
up the small fry, pretended to speak 


xii INTRODUCTION 


to it, and put it close to his ear, as 
if to hear its reply. ‘‘ Well,” said 
Dionysius, somewhat annoyed, ‘‘ what 
is the matter?” ‘‘I was. asking him 
certain information about the sea 
which interests me; but he has been 
caught too young: this is his excuse 
for having nothing to tell me. The 
fish in front of you, on the contrary, 
is old enough to satisfy my curiosity.” 
Dionysius, pleased with the rejoinder, 
sent on to him his own fish. To per- 
petuate his memory, Philoxenus com- 
posed a ‘*Manual of Gastronomy,” ᾿ 
which was held in great repute. 
Philoxenus, it must be admitted, 
was a very favourable specimen of his 
class. As a rule the parasites were 
among the most abject and worthless 
of men. ‘Selected for their profli- 
gacy, their impudence, or their wit, 
they were admitted to the tables of 
the wealthy, to promote licentious 


INTRODUCTION xiii 


mirth. This being the case, it does 
not seem at all unnatural that we 
should at the same time find them 
the friends and companions of the 
courtesans. Such characters could 
not but be mutually necessary to each 
other. The courtesan solicited the 
acquaintance of the parasite, that 
she might the more easily obtain 
and carry on intrigues with the rich 
and dissipated. The parasite was 
assiduous in his attention to the 
courtesan, as procuring through her 
means more easy access to his 
patrons, and was probably rewarded 
by them both, for the gratification 
which he obtained of the vices of the 
one and the avarice of the other.” 
The name parasite first assumed 
a dishonourable signification in the 
works of the writers of the Middle 
and New Comedy. The first who so 
used it is said to have been Alexis. 


xiv INTRODUCTION 


In the later comedians they are stock 
characters, whose chief object was 
to get a dinner without paying for 
it. They are divided into different 
classes. There were the yeAwrorovoi, 
or jesters, who, in order to secure an 
invitation, not only endeavoured to 
amuse, but endured the grossest in- 
sults and personal ill-treatment (cf. 
Book III., Letters 6, 7, 49). They 
had notebooks, in which they kept a 
collection of jokes ready for use. The 
κόλακες, or flatterers, endeavoured to 
get invitations by playing upon the 
vanity of their prospective patrons. 
The θεραπευτικοὶ, or ‘‘ officious”’ para- 
sites, tried to curry favour by ser- 
vices of the lowest and most de- 
grading character, which are detailed 
in the sixth book of Athenaeus. 
They haunted the markets, wrestling- 
schools, baths, and other public places 
in search of patrons. 


INTRODUCTION i XV 


The Romans also had their para- 
sites. As the stern rigour of the Re- 
public relaxed and degenerated into 
the splendour and dissipation of a 
despotic government, the Roman 
parasites became less respectable and 
more profligate. But it does not 
appear that in the most licentious 
ages of the Empire they ever equalled 
in meanness or in vice those worth- 
less characters described in such lively 
colours by Athenaeus, Alciphron, and 
the comic poets of Greece. Frequent 
allusions to them are found in Horace, 
Juvenal, Plautus, and particularly in 
Terence. 

The latinized forms of the names 
of Greek gods and goddesses (such as 
Jupiter for Zeus) have been preserved 
in the translation as being more 
familiar, although, strictly speaking, 
they cannot be regarded as correct. 


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AAKI®PONOS 
PHTOPO 2 


ἘΔ AR 
LIBER:. PRiMdD’S. 


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Εὔδιος Φιλοσκάφῳ. 


Α ~ , ὩὉΝ 
Χρηστὴν ἡμῖν ἡ θάλασσα τοτήμερον εἶναι 
A , e 4 
τὴν γαλήνην ἐστόρεσε. “Qs yap τρίτην 
’ὔ o> « A « ’ A , 
ταύτην εἶχεν ὁ χειμὼν ἡμέραν, Kat λάβρως 
A ΄“- , - b J 
κατὰ τοῦ πελάγους ἐπέπνεον ἐκ τῶν ἀκρω- 
e “A 4 9 Ld A , 
τηρίων οἱ βορεῖς, καὶ ἐπεφρίκει μὲν πόντος 
, a 4 A 
μελαινόμενος, τοῦ ὕδατος δὲ ἀφρὸς ἐξηνθήκει, 
“.ἁ “. , 
πανταχοῦ τῆς θαλάσσης ἐπαλλήλων ἐπικλωμέ- 
A , 4 4 ‘ a 
νων TOV κυμάτων, τὰ μὲν yap Tals πέτραις 
, 4 A b 4 9 ~ 9 ev 
προσηράσσετο, τὰ δὲ εἴσω ἀνοιδοῦντα ἐῤῥήγ- 
9 le q TAS Ἀ ον κεναὶ “. 
νυτο, ἀεργία παντελὴς Hv" καὶ τὰ ἐπὶ ταῖς ἠϊόσι 
9 , , 
καταλαβόντες καλύβια, ὀλίγα ξυλισάμενοι 
’ 4 9 A 
κομμάτια, ὅσα οἱ ναυπηγοὶ πρώην ἐκ τῶν 


THE 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 





BOOK I. 





LETTER’ I. 


EupIUus TO PHILOSCAPHUS. 


Happity for us, the sea to-day is 
smooth and calm again. The storm 
lasted for three days: the north winds 
blew violently from the headlands _to- 
wards the open; the blackening sea grew 
rough, the waters were white with foam; 
the billows everywhere broke over each 
other, some dashing against the rocks, 
while others swelled and burst. It was 
utterly impossible to work: we _ betook 
ourselves to the huts on the bank, col- 
lected a few fragments of wood, the 
remains of the oaks which had _ been 

I—2 


2 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


> 4 SF 3, , ᾿] ~ 
δρυῶν, ἃς ἐξέτεμον, ἀπέλιπον, ἐκ τούτων πῦρ 
᾿] , ‘ A “- ΄- , 
avavvavTes TO πικρὸν τοῦ κρυμοῦ παρεμυθού- 
’ A e ,’ a ΄σ 
μεθα. Τετάρτη δὲ αὕτη ἐπιλαβοῦσα ἡμᾶς 
« A « Ὁ ε ’ ΝΜ A wn 
aAkvovig ὡς οἶμαι ἡμέρα, ἔστι γὰρ τοῦτο 
~ “~ ~ > , ’ ~ 
τῷ καθαρῷ τῆς αἰθρίας τεκμαίρεσθαι, πλοῦ- 
3 ’ ° ~ e A ld 
tov ἀθρόον ἀγαθῶν ἔδειξεν. “Os yap ὥφθη 
Α ε ¢ 4 4 9 Α ᾿] \ , 

Mev ὁ ἥλιος, πρώτη δὲ ἀκτὶς εἰς TO πέλαγος 
, ‘ A , 
ἀπέστιλβε, τὸ πρώην νεωλκηθὲν σκαφίδιον 
~ , a 9 9 ’ A , 
σπουδῃ κατεσύραμεν: εἶτ᾽ ἐνθέμενοι Ta δίκτνα 
» 9 ’ Ἀ δ »"“ “- " ~~ 
ἔργων εἰχόμεθα. Μικρὸν de ἄπωθεν τῆς ἀκτῆς 

, - A Φ a ΦΨ ὯΑ ’ 
χαλάσαντες, φεῦ τῆς εὐοψίας, ὅσον ἰχθύων 
“ 4 A 4 
ἐξειλκύσαμεν' μικροῦ Kal τοὺς φελλοὺς ἐδέησε 
’ ΠΣ ‘ , 9 , 
κατασύραι ὕφαλον τὸ δίκτυον ἐξωγκωμένον. 
"δλὰ > 5.) κα , ἜΣ {Ὁ} δ΄ ὃς 
Εὐθὺς οὖν ὀψνῶναι πλησίον, καὶ ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν 
’ 5 4, ‘ 9 , ’ 
καταβαλόντες ἀργύριον, τὰς ἀσίλλας ἐπω- 
ἢ 5 , a ae Boe , , 
μίους ἀνελόμενοι, καὶ Tas ἑκατέρωθεν σπυρίδας 
᾽ , 3 $72 , 5] , 
ἐξαρτήσαντες, ἄστυδ᾽ ex Φαλήρων ἠπείγοντο. 
Ν᾿ A , 9 , = 4 
Πᾶσι δὲ τούτοις ἠρκέσαμεν ἡμεῖς: καὶ πρὸς 
, 3 , 7 
τούτοις ἀπηνεγκαμεθα γαμεταῖς καὶ παιδίοις 
3 9 9 ’ JA ~ “~ 
ὄγκον οὐκ ὀλίγον ἔχειν τῶν λεπτομερῶν 
9 , >] 9 ’ ος 9 9 A " ’ 
ἰχθύων, οὐκ εἰς μίαν, ἀλλ᾽ εἰ χειμὼν ἐπιλά- 
A 3 , δι. Καὶ ᾿] ~ 
βοιτο, καὶ εἰς πλείους ἡμέρας ἐμφορῆσαι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON | 2 


felled by the ships’ carpenters, and 
lighted a fire to relieve the piercing 
cold. At last the fourth day came, a 
truly halcyon day, as we may conclude 
from the clearness of the air, and brought 
us wealth and fortune in abundance. For, 
as soon as the sun rose, and its first 
beams glittered on the sea, we quickly 
launched our little bark, which had lately 
been drawn up on land, and, putting 
our nets aboard, set to work. We cast 
them not far from land. Ha! what an 
enormous haul we made! The heavily- 
laden net, carried under water, almost 
dragged down the corks with it. Imme- 
diately the fish salesmen gathered round, 
with their yokes over their shoulders, from 
which hung baskets on either side ; and, 
having purchased our fish for money 
down, hastened from Phalerum to the city. 
We had enough to satisfy them all, and 
besides, took back to our wives and chil- 
dren a quantity of small fry, enough to 
keep them not only for one, but for several 
days, if bad weather should come on. 


3 AAKI®PONOZX PHTOPOZ 


Il. 


Γαληνὸς Κύρτωνι. 


, ry -» ΄- 4s , 2 
Ματην ἡμῖν παντα πονεῖται, ὦ Κύρτων, δι 
ε , A ε Ἁ ~ ef ; , 
ἥμέερας μὲν ὗπο τῆς εἵλης φλεγομεένοις, VUK- 
A Ε ‘ , 4 Ἁ “ , 
Twp δὲ ὑπὸ λαμπάσι Tov βυθὸν ἀποξύουσι. 
A ‘ ’ A ~ " A “ 
Kai τὸ λεγόμενον δὴ τοῦτο εἰς τὸν τῶν 
of. A ° / 9 , f 
Δαναΐδων τοὺς ἀμφορέας ἐκχέομεν πίθον' 
+ 4A ° wn 
οὕτως ἄπρακτα καὶ ἀνήνυτα μοχθοῦμεν. 
ς A A A 2aA 3 , > ‘ a 
Ἡμῖν μὲν yap οὐδὲ ἀκαλήφης ἐστὶν ἢ πελω- 
’ 9 ~ A , 3 , 4 
pidos ἐμπλῆσαι THY γαστέρα ὁ δεσπότης δὲ 
’ A 4 5 , A Ἁ , 
συλλέγει Kat τοὺς ἰχθύας καὶ Ta κέρματα. 
3 A ~ - 14 » 
Οὐκ ἀπόχρη δὲ αὐτῷ τοσαῦτα ἔχειν Tap 
¢ “~ e A ad 4 Ἁ ’ 
ἡμῶν, ὁ O€ διερευνᾶται καὶ τὸ σκαφίδιον συ- 
“- A , wo 3% ’ 9739 
vexas. Kat πρώην, or ἐκ Μουνυχίας ereuyra- 
. κα a A 9 , “ 
μὲν αὐτῷ κομιοῦντα τὸ ὀψγνώνιον “Ἑξρμωνα 
4 A f ’ - ° , 
τουτονὶ TOV μειρακίσκον, σπόγγους ἡμῖν ἐπέ- 
Α 4 9 ~ , + “A , 
TaTTE καὶ Ta ex τῆς θαλασσῆς ἔρια ἃ φύεται 
~ 9 / ’ 14 3 
ἐπιεικῶς ἐν Εὐρυνόμης Aimy Ὥς δ᾽ ὁ 


Α ΕΣ “ , A e @ 
μὲν OUTWO TAVTA TPOTAT TEL, Kal O Kppov 


1 Locus corruptus. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 3 


Il. 
GALENUS TO CYRTON. 


ALL our labour is in vain, Cyrton ! 
By day we are scorched by the heat of 
the sun, by night we explore the deep 
by the light of torches, and yet, in the 
words of the proverb, we are pouring 
the contents of our pitchers into the 
cask of the Danaides—so idle and useless 
are our efforts! We have not even sea 
nettles or Pelorian mussels to fill our 
belly; but the master collects both the fish 
and the money. But all that he gets from 
us is not enough for him: he is con- 
tinually searching our little bark. Only 
lately, when we sent the lad Hermon to 
him from Munychia with the fish, he 
ordered us to bring him some sponges 
and sea-wool, which grows in fairly large 
quantities in the pool of Eurynome. Be- 
fore he had finished giving these orders, 


4 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOD 


° 4s Ἁ r » ΄- " , " A ‘ 
apets TO φορτίον αὐτοῖς ἰχθύσιν, ἀφεὶς δὲ 
A € lal > ~ la , + φιΐ πα , 
καὶ ἥμας αὐτῷ τῷ σκάφει, ῴᾧχετο ἐπὶ λέμβου 
, e , A a“ ᾿] 

κωπήρους, Ῥοδίοις τισὶ βαλαυστιουργοῖς ἀνα- 

’ 4 e A ’ dies . - 
μιχθείς. Kat ὁ μὲν δεσπότης οἰκέτην, ἡμεῖς 


\ 4 5 ‘ " , 
de συνεργὸν ἀγαθὸν ἐπενθήσαμεν. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON £4 


Hermon left his load of fishes, the boat, 
and ourselves, and went off on a rowing- 
boat, with some Rhodian dyers whose 
acquaintance he had made. Thus the 
master has to mourn the loss of a slave; 
we, that of a true companion. 


5 AAKI@PONOY PHTOPOZ 


III. 


Γλαῦκος Γαλατείᾳ. 


Χρηστὸν ἡ γῆ καὶ ἡ Boros ἀκίνδυνον. Οὐ 

, ~ “ , , 9 , 
μάτην γοῦν ἀνεισιδώραν ταύτην ὀνομάζουσιν 
᾿Αθηναῖοι ἀνιεῖσαν δῶρα, δ ὧν ἐστι ζῆν καὶ 
σώζεσθαι. Χαλεπὸν ἡ θάλαττα καὶ ἡ vav- 
τιλία ῥιψεοκίνδυνον. Ορθῶς ἐγὼ τοῦτο κρίνω 

, ‘ la , A Ἁ 
πείρᾳ καὶ διδασκαλίᾳ μαθών. Ilore yap 
dvrov ἀποδόσθαι βουληθεὶς ἤκουσα ἑνὸς τῶν 
ἐν τῇ ΠΠοικίλῃ διατριβόντων ἀνυποδήτου καὶ 
3 , , ° , 4 
evepoxpwros στιχίδιον ἀποφθεγγομένου, τὴν 
J , “~ , bd , 
ἀπόνοιαν τῶν πλεόντων ἐπιστύφοντος, ἔλεγε 
δὲ ᾿Αράτου τινὸς εἶναι σοφοῦ τὰ μετέωρα: 

. δ or 5 , ἜΝ, 
καὶ ἣν ὅσον ἀπομνημονεύσαντα οὐχ ὅλον 
εἰπεῖν ὧδε εἰρημένον ΟΛΙ! ΤῸΝ ΔΕ ATA‘ 
ΞΎΛΟΝ ᾽᾿ΑΙ δ ἜΡΥΚΕΙ. Τί οὗν, 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON | 5 


III. 
GLAUCUS TO GALATEA. 


Happy is he who lives on land! Hus- 
bandry involves no danger. With good 
reason, then, do the Athenians name it 
Aneisidora, because it bestows. gifts, 
whereby we live and enjoy health. The 
sea is cruel, and a sailor’s life is full of 
perils. My judgment is right: I have 
learnt this by experience and instruction. 
I remember that, once, when I wanted to 
sell some fish, I heard one of those 
fellows who hang about the Painted 
Porch, a’ bare-footed wretch with livid 
features, reciting verses and declaiming 
against the folly of sailors. He said that 
the verses were written by a certain 
Aratus, an astronomer. I cannot repeat 
all that he said; but, as far as I remem- 
ber, one of the verses ran as follows: 


A thin partition keeps off destruction. 


6 AAKI®PPONOXY PHTOPOZ 


ld > “ A τ ‘ nw nw 
γύναι, ov σωφρονοῦμεν, καὶ ove τοῦ καιροῦ 
, ᾿ A ‘ , tl 
φεύγομεν τὴν πρὸς Tov θανατον γειτνίασιν, 
4 A ἅτ ἢ , ~ Α “ἝΞ . Y 
καὶ ταῦτα ἐπὶ παιδίοις ζῶντες" οἷς εἰ καὶ 
A , , 3 5 , + 
μηδὲν μέγα παρέχειν Oc ἀχρηματίαν ἔχομεν, 

Ul , ‘ , ‘ 4 
Tade παρέξομεν καὶ χαριούμεθα, TO τὰς τρικυ- 
, A 4 9 ΄ , ° ~ 
μίας Kat τοὺς ἐκ βυθοῦ κινδύνους ἀγνοῆσαι, 
, A a ‘ 4 ἃ a 
γεωργίᾳ de συντραφῆναι, Kat Tov ἀσφαλῆ 


καὶ adea βίον ἀσπάσασθαι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 6 


Why, then, wife, should we not be wise, 
and, even though it be late, avoid a life 
that is so near to death? We have chil- 
dren; and, although our poverty prevents 
us from leaving them anything con- 
siderable, we shall at least be able 
to leave them in blessed ignorance of 
the stormy waves and the dangers of 
the deep. They will be brought up to 
an agricultural life, and will enjoy a life 
of security, untroubled by alarm. 


>  AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


IV. 
Κύμωθος Τριτωνίδι. 


, ~ “- , 
Ὅσον ἡ θάλαττα τῆς γῆς διαλλαττει, 
A ‘ a ’ > , ~ 
τοσοῦτον καὶ ἡμεῖς Of ταύτης ἐργάται τῶν 
4 , ΕῚ ΄, . , ’ 
κατὰ πόλεις ἢ κώμας οἰκούντων διαφέρομεν. 
ε ‘ ‘ «ἵ , ” A 4 
Of μὲν yap. μένοντες εἴσω πυλῶν τὰ δημο- 
Α , “ ’ ΄ 
Tika διαπράαττουσιν ἢ γεωργίᾳ προσανέ- 
A > “ , ‘ A 
xovres τὴν ἐκ τῆς βώλου πρὸς διατροφὴν 
9 , 5 , ες - 4 n e , 
ἀναμένουσιν emikaptiav ἡμῖν de, οἷς ὁ βίος 
9 Π) , e ~ , - ς , 
ἐν ὕδασι, θάνατος ἡ γῆ, καθάπερ τοῖς ἰχθύσιν 
. , ἣν a ‘ °F , A 
ἥκιστα δυναμένοις ἀναπνεῖν Tov ἀέρα. Ti δὴ 
a κ 3 , RG, SIDES Ray a 
οὖν παθοῦσα, ὦ γύναι, THY ἀκτὴν ἀπολιποῦσα 
Α A , ~ , + s 
καὶ τὰ νήματα τοῦ λίνου, ἄστυδε θαμίζεις, 
᾿ ’ Α - , 
Ὠσχοφόρια καὶ Λήναια ταῖς πλουσίαις ᾿Αθη- 
, , FA 93 + ~ 
ναίων συνεορτάζουσα; Οὐκ ἔστι τοῦτο σω- 
-“ 908 9 A - 
φρονεῖν, οὐδὲ ἀγαθὰ διανοεῖσθαι οὐχ οὕτω 


, e 4A ° ~ 9 ’ in “A 7 
δέ σε ὁ πατὴρ ἐκ τῆς Αἰγίνης, οὗ τεχθῆναι 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 7 


IV. 
CYMOTHUS TO TRITONIS. ‘' 


THERE is as much difference between 
us, toilers on the sea, and those who live 
in cities and villages, as there is between 
sea and land. They either remain within 
the gates and occupy themselves with 
public affairs, or, devoting themselves to 
agriculture, wait quietly for the crops that 
are their support; but we, whose life is 
spent upon the water, find land death 
to us, even as the fishes, who are unable 
to breathe the air. Whatever, then, is 
the matter with you, my dear Tritonis, 
that you leave the shore and your yarn, 
and are constantly running into the city, 
visiting the Oschophoria and Lenaea in 
the company of wealthy Athenian ladies? 
This shows a want of prudence and 
modesty. It was not for this purpose 
that your father brought you up in 


8 AAKI®PONOZX PHTOPO> 


x ~ , ~ ERO (oe 4 
σε καὶ τραφῆναι συνέβη, μυεῖσθαι ὑπ᾽ ἐμοὶ 
, t 9 ‘ , 5 ’ 
γάμῳ παρέδωκεν. Ki τὴν πόλιν ἀσπάαζῃ, 
“- Δ “ἊΨ ° A ἈΠ oe U 9 i 
χαῖρε καὶ ἄπιθι εἰ δὲ Ta ἐκ θαλαττῆς ἀγαπᾷς, 
" , 9 Ἁ + \ ie ¢ , 
ἐπάνιθι, εἰς Tov ἄνδρα, TO λῷον ἑλομένη. 
, , 4 ἈΝ ~ 3 5» 
Λήθη δὲ σοι ἔστω μακρὰ τῶν KaT ἄστυ 


7 ° A , 
τούτων ἀπατηλῶν θεαμάτων. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON | 8 


Aegina and gave you to me in marriage. 
If you are so fond of the city, farewell ; 
go; but, if you love the sea, return to 
your husband; that is the best thing 
you can do; but forget for ever these 
delusive city spectacles. 


9 AAKT®PONOZ PHTOPOX 


V. 
NavBarns Ῥοδίῳ. 


+ , “~ ¢ A ? 9 A 
Οἴει μόνος πλουτεῖν, OTL τοὺς Tap ἐμοὶ 
, , 5 ε Ἀ 
θητεύοντας δελεαζων ἄγεις ὡς σεαυτὸν περι- 
, , 4 acl? ’ 4 
ovoia μισθωμάτων, καὶ εἰκότως. Lol μὲν 
Ν ε , ΕΣ , la , 
yap ὁ βόλος ἤνεγκε πρώην χρυσοῦ κόμματα 
΄ ~ A - , ” 
Δαρεικοῦ τῆς ἐπὶ Σαλαμῖνι ναυμαχίας tows 
, / iy Ἁ ΄“ 
λείψανα, καταδύσης οἶμαι νηὸς Ἱ]ερσικῆς 
. - 9 , ‘ 9 - , “ 
αὐτοῖς ἀνδρασι καὶ αὐτοῖς χρήμασιν, ὅτε 
Φ..Ὁ ~ ’ “ ’ὔ 
ἐπὶ τῶν προγόνων τῶν ἡμετέρων ὁ Θεμι- 
~ e ~ , \ , 
στοκλῆς ὃ τοῦ Νεοκλέους ἤρατο τὸ μέγα 
‘ the t , ke | δ’. ἦν ~ 
κατὰ τῶν Μήδων τρόπαιον: ἐγὼ δὲ ἀγαπῶ 
A ~ J g “ 
τὴν τῶν ἀναγκαίων εὐπορίαν ἐκ τῆς καθη- 
~ . 7 ~ ~ , 
μερινῆς ἐργασίας τῶν χειρῶν ποριζόμενος. 
5 > 9 A A “ 
AXX εἰ πλουτεῖς, σὺν δικαίῳ πλούτει: 
’ 7, « ~ Ἁ 7 9 4 
γινέσθω δὲ σοι ὁ πλοῦτος μὴ κακίας ἀλλὰ 


καλοκἀγαθίας ὑπηρέτης. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 9 


V. 
NAUBATES TO RHODIUS. 


You flatter yourself that you alone 
are wealthy, because you are able to 
entice my sailors with the offer of a 
higher salary.. And no wonder; for only 
recently a lucky cast brought you in a 
quantity of golden darics, probably a relic 
of the battle of Salamis. Perhaps a 
Persian ship went to the bottom there 
with the crew and all the treasures on 
board, at the time when Themistocles, 
son of Neocles, in the days of our fore- 
fathers, set up his great trophy in honour 
of his victory over the Medes. I, for my 
part, am content if I can procure the 
necessaries of life, by the daily work of 
my hands. If you are wealthy, do not 
forget what is just: let your wealth be 
to you an assistance in _ performing, 
not unjust, but good and_ generous 
actions. 

2—2 


10 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


VI. 
Πανόπη Εὐθυβόλῳ. 


Ἤργάγου με, ὦ EvOuBore, οὐκ ἀπεῤῥιμ- 

’ - sat , ~ 3 , “ Ε] 
μένην γυναῖκα, οὐδὲ μίαν τῶν ἀσήμων, ἀλλ 
" ’ n~ 4 \ 9 ~ ‘ 4 
ἐξ ἀγαθοῦ μὲν πατρὸς, ἀγαθῆς de μητρὸς 
γεγονυῖαν. Σωσθένης ὁ Στειριεὺς ἣν μοι 

\ A Ul , “ ᾽ 
πατήρ, καὶ Δαμοφίλη μήτηρ, οἵ με ἐγ- 

Α 9. ’ > A ’ 3, ’ὔ, 

γυητὴν ἐπίκληρον ἐπὶ παίδων ἀρότῳ γνη- 
σίων συνῆψαν σοι γάμῳ: Σὺ δὲ ῥάδιος 
ἂν τὼ ὁὀφθαλμὼ, καὶ πρὸς πᾶσαν ἡδονὴν 
9 , , "9 ’ 9 4 A 
ἀφροδισίων κεχυμένος, ἀτιμάσας ἐμὲ Kal 
τὰ κοινὰ παιδία, Γαλήνην καὶ Θαλασσίωνα, 
᾽ ~ a τ 7 , τ Ss 4 ‘ou 
ἐρᾷς τῆς ᾿Ε;μιονίτιδος μετοίκου, ἣν ἐπὶ κακῷ 
τῶν ἐρώντων ὁ ἸΠειραιεὺς ἐδέξατο. Κω- 

, ‘ 9 OE. € \ , 
μαζουσι yap εἰς αὐτὴν ἡ πρὸς θάλασσαν 
νεολαία, καὶ ἄλλος ἄλλο δῶρον ἀποφέρει: 


ἡ δὲ εἰσδέχεται Kai ἀναλοῖ Χαρύβδεως δίκην. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON fe) 


VI. 
PANOPE TO EUTHYBOLUS. 


WHEN you married me, Euthybolus, 
you did not marry an outcast or one of 
the common herd, but the daughter of 
respectable parents. Sosthenes of Stiria 
was my father: Damophile, my mother. 
I was their sole heiress; and they con- 
sented to our union, in the hope of our 
having lawful children. But, notwith- 
standing, you are ever casting amorous 
glances upon the women, and are ad- 
dicted to every kind of wanton pleasure: 
you neglect me and our children, Galene 
and Thalassion: you are enamoured of 
the strange woman from Hermione, who 
has arrived in Piraeus, to the misfortune 
of husbands and wives. .The young 
fishermen of the coast hold orgies at her 
house: each gives her different presents ; 
and she accepts and swallows all, like 


II AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOZ 


Ἅ, Α A s , 
Σὺ δὲ ὑπερβαίνων τὰς ἁλιευτικὰας δωροφορίας, 
, ‘ a , + , ϑ᾿ 
μαινίδας μὲν ἢ τρίγλας οὔτε φέρεις, οὔτε 
, d ᾽ 3 ’ 4A 
θέλεις διδόναι: GAN ὡς ἀφηλικέστερος καὶ 
‘ , ‘ A [ " , 
γυναικὶ πάλαι συνὼν καὶ παιδίων οὐ pada 
, 4 f 4 ° 
νηπίων πατὴρ, παραγκωνίσασθαι τοὺς ἀντε- 
4 , , 
pastas βουλόμενος, Kexpuparovs Μιλησίους, 
Q x oe 9.9 7 A ’ 
καὶ Σικελικὸν ἱματιον, καὶ ET αὐτῷ χρυσίον 
9 , “Δ oO , “A ° , 
εἰσπέμπεις. Ἢ οὖν πέπαυσο τῆς ayepwxias 
4 A , > 4 nk Sees 
καὶ τοῦ λάγνος εἷναι καὶ θηλυμανῆς ἀπόσχου, 
κι » ‘ \ , 9 , 
ἢ ἴσθι pe Tapa τὸν πατέρα οἰχησομεένην, 
εἴ > 4 , Ἁ ‘ , 
ὃς οὐδ᾽ ἐμὲ περιόψεται, καὶ oe γράψεται 


Ἀ - - 
παρὰ τοῖς δικασταῖς κακώσεως. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 1 


Charybdis. But you, more lavish than 
a fisherman can afford to be, are not 
satisfied with giving her sprats_ or 
mullets: although you are getting old, 
have been married a long time, and 
are the father of grown-up children, in 
your desire to oust your rivals, you send 
her Milesian hair-nets, Sicilian dresses, 
and even gold. Either give up this 
insulting conduct, your debauchery, and 
your madness for women, or I tell you 
plainly that I will go back to my father, 
who will know how to protect me and 
will summon you before the court for 
your cruel behaviour towards me. 


12 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOX 


VIL. ἃ 
Θάλασσιος ἸΠοντίῳ. 


"π᾿ , \ ; \ 
"ἔπεμψα σοι ψήτταν καὶ σανδάλιον καὶ 

’ 4 ’ ! A , 
κεστρεα Kal κήρυκας πέντε Kal τριάκοντα: 
4 , “ 9 ~ , ’ ᾿] A 
συ δὲ μοι τῶν ἐρετμῶν δύο πέμψον, ἐπειδὴ 
" 4 ’ 7 Ν ς \ 
τάμα Kateayeto. ᾿Αντίδοσις yap ἡ παρὰ 
’ 9 , e ‘ , A 
pitov εἰς φίλους. 0 yap προχείρως καὶ 

, 7, A ΕΖ , 9 e ca 
θαρσαλέως αἰτῶν, εὔδηλός ἐστιν ὡς ἅπαντα 
A A 4 4 , 4 4 ~ 
κοινὰ Ta πρὸς τοὺς φίλους Kal τὰ τῶν 


φίλων ἔχειν ἡγούμενος. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 12 


VII. 
THALASSIUS TO PONTIUS. 


I SEND you a plaice, a sole, a mullet, 
and three dozen purple-fish: send me two 
oars for them, for mine are broken. The 
presents one friend makes to another are 
simple exchanges. He who asks for a 
thing boldly and without ceremony 
thereby declares that he considers the 
possessions of friends are common, and 
that he has a right to share what be- 
longs to his friends. } 


13 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOL 


ΝΠΙ. 
Βὐκόλυμβος Τλλαύκῃ. 


ε Ἁ , ° 7 4A A ~ 
Oi τὴν γνώμην ἀμφίβολοι τὴν παρὰ τῶν 
3 ὔ ld ’ , ᾿] ‘ A 
εὐνοούντων κρίσιν ἐκδέχοντα. Κἀγὼ τὰ 
4 a » A U 
πολλὰ ταῖς αὔραις διαλαλήσας (οὐδὲ yap 
dot ᾿ Ὕ one a PON 
οὐδὲν πρὸς σὲ ἐθαῤῥουν, ὦ γύναι), νῦν ἐξα- 
’ ‘ , \ “~ ε , 
yopevw, Kat δέομαι TO λῷον εὑρημένην συμ- 
΄“ Ε A e +x A ‘ 
βουλεῦσαι. ΑΛκουε δὲ ὡς ἔχει, καὶ πρὸς 
“ a ‘ , 5 “- ‘ 4Φ΄ τ ἢ 
ὅτι σε δεῖ τὴν γνώμην ἐξενεγκεῖν. Τὰ ἡμέ- 
: ε > A ᾽ ” ‘ 
Tepa, ws οἶσθα, παντελῶς ἐστιν ἄπορα, Kal 
[ὦ ἂν , A sat c 
Bios κομιδῇ στενός: τρέφει yap οὐδὲν ἡ 
᾿ ‘ , > ᾿ a 1 
θάλασσα. ὋὉ λέμβος οὖν οὗτος, ὃν ὁρᾷς, ὃ 
΄- ΄ > , 
κωπήρης, τοῖς πολλοῖς ἐρέταις κατηρτυ- 
, , , , A A 
μένος, Κωρύκιόν τι σκαῴος, λῃσταὶ δὲ 
; τ ς A , a , 
θαλασσης TO ἐν αὐτῷ σύστημα. Οὗτοί με 
Ἁ 5 - ΄- 
κοινωνὸν ἐθελουσι λαβεῖν τοῦ τολμήματος, 
, ε / 
πόρους ἐκ πόρων εὐμεγέθεις ὑπισχνούμενοι. 


᾿ ι > A 4 a > 
IIpos μὲν οὖν Tov χρυσὸν, ov ἐπαγγελλονται, 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 13 


VIII. 
EUCOLYMBUS TO GLAUCE. 


THOsE who are undecided in their 
minds wait for some kind friend to advise 
them. So I, who have often addressed 
myself to the winds—since I never had 
the courage to consult you, my dear 
wife—have now decided to speak out, 
and beg you to assist me with your 
advice, if you have anything better to 
suggest. Listen now to the state of 
things as to which I want your opinion. 
My affairs are, as you know, in a very 
embarrassed condition, and I find it very 
hard to get a living, for there are hardly 
any fish in the sea. This rowing-boat 
which you see, with its numerous crew, 
is a Corycian bark manned by pirates. 
They want me to become a partner in 
their venture, and promise me vast wealth. 
I confess that my mouth waters for the 


14 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPO> 


A A 5 ~ , ψ ’ 4 " 
καὶ τὴν ἐσθῆτα κέχηνα' ἀνδροφόνος δὲ οὐχ 
ς 7 , ΕΣ, ~ , ‘ 
ὑπομένω γενέσθαι, οὐδὲ μιᾶναι λύθρῳ τὰς 

“ A ς U 2 \ ᾽ ~ 
χεῖρας, ἃς ἡ θάλαττα ἐκ παιδὸς εἰς δεῦρο 

4 , , 3 7 / ‘ ul 
καθαρὰς ἀδικημάτων ἐφύλαξε: μένειν δὲ πενίᾳ 

“A ‘ A " ’ , 
συζῶντα χαλεπὸν καὶ ov φορητόν. Τούτων 

‘ A 4 ’ “ ἣΝ "᾿ 
συ τὴν αἵρεσιν ταλάντευνε’ ὅπου γὰρ ἂν 

, > , ep Π 
ῥέψῃς, ὦ γύναι, ἅπαξ, ἐκεῖ σε ἀκολουθήσω: 
° , 4 ΕΣ , e ~~ f 
ἀποκόπτειν γὰρ εἴωθε γνώμης ἡ τῶν φίλων 


συμβουλὴ τὸ ἀμφίβολον. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 14 


gold and garments which they hold out 
to me as an inducement; but I have not 
the heart to become a murderer and stain 
with gore these hands of mine, which the 
sea has kept pure from evil-doing, from 
my childhood to the present day; and 
yet, on the other hand, it is hard and 
unendurable to live in continual poverty. 
The decision of my choice lies in your 
hands: to whatever course you are favour- 
ably inclined, I will follow you, dear wife; 
for the advice which friends give us often 
cuts the knot of indecision. 


15 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


IX. 
Aiytarevs Στρουθίωνι. 


, ᾽ , « > , tc - 4A 
Βαλλ ἐς μακαρίαν" ὡς ἐναντίως ἡμῖν, Kal 
‘ 4 , 3. ἃ A 
κατὰ τὴν παροιμίαν ἐπὶ τὰ Μανδραβούλου 
- A , ‘ A 4 : Ὁ 
χωρεῖ τὰ πράγματα. To μὲν γὰρ ἐπὶ λεπ- 
΄ ’ Kd / 4 > - A 
τῶν κερμάτων ἀποδίδοσθαι καὶ ὠνεῖσθαι τὰ 
> , ‘ , A ’ 
ἐπιτήδεια, λιμηραν φέρει τὴν παραμυθίαν. 
Μφ) iO , « - > 
ρα οὖν σε συμπράττοντα ἡμῖν, ὦ Στρου- 
r ‘ Vie ene ν᾿ > A e , 
θίων, τὴν παρ ἡμῶν ἐξ ὧν ἂν ἡ θάλαττα 
’ 9 
πορίζῃ παραμυθίαν ἐκδέχεσθαι. Βούλομαι 
4 \ Φ ~ A ~ 
δὲ πρὸς ἕνα τῶν λακκοπλούτων διὰ σοῦ 
᾽ « ‘ 9 A 
προξένου ἢ πρὸς EKpactxAéa τὸν Σφήττιον, 
a \ , \ , 
ἢ πρὸς Φιλόστρατον τὸν Χολαργέα οἰκείως 
+ e 9 ‘ ae, , , 3 ” 
ἔχειν, ὡς αὐτὸς ἐπὶ φερνείων κομίζειν αὐτῷ 
A , , 4 A ~ 
τοὺς ἰχθύας πάντως yap πρὸς TH KaTa- 
~ ς , ΕΣ ᾿] 9 “Ὁ A 
Born Tapyvpiov ἔσται παρ αὐτῷ τις διὰ 
“ , a ’ ΜΝ“ ’ 
σοῦ παραμυθία ἢ Διονυσίων ἡ ᾿Απατουρίων 


τελουμένων. Kat ἄλλως ἐκ τῆς πικρᾶς τῶν 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 15 


IX. 


AEGIALEUS TO STRUTHION. 


CONFOUND it, how unlucky I am! 
All my affairs go wrong, and, as the 
proverb says, after the fashion of Man- 
drabulus. It is a sorry comfort to be 
always buying and selling the necessaries 
of life for worthless bits of money! It 
is time for you to help me, Struthion ; 
you shall share the fruits of my labours 
on the sea. I want, through your recom- 
mendation, to get on familiar terms with 
one or two of our city millionaires, such as 
Erasicles of Sphettus or Philostratus of 
Cholargus, that I may take my baskets 
of fish to them in person. By this 
means, in addition to the price of the 
fish, I hope through your interest to get 
some trifle at their house on the day of 
the festival of Dionysia or Apaturia. Be- 
sides this, they will save us from the 


16 ΑΛΚΊΦΡΟΝΟΣ PHTOPOZ 


. , ἢ A eon ‘ a 
ἀγορανόμων ἐξελοῦνται ἡμᾶς χειρὸς, οἱ καθε- 
, ae | ie , , ° Α 
κάστην ἐπὶ τῷ σφετέρῳ κέρδει εἰς τοὺς 
ἀπράγμονας ἐμφοροῦσιν ὕβρεις. ἸΠολλοῦ δὲ 
δύνασθαι τοὺς παρασίτους ὑμᾶς παρὰ τοῖς 
νέοις καὶ πλουσίοις οὐ λόγος ἀλλ᾽ ἔργον 


ἔδειξεν. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON τό 


cruel hands of the market - inspectors, 
who, for their own profit, daily heap 
insults upon the inoffensive. Not only 
report, but also experience proves that 
you parasites have great influence with 
the young and wealthy. 


17 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


Χ, 
Κέφαλος Ποντίῳ. 


A A U ς δὰ πῶ, ’ 
Τὴν μὲν θαλατταν, ὡς ὁρᾷς, φρίκη κατέ- 
A Ἁ " Ἁ «ες ’ ° A 4 
χει, καὶ τὸν οὐρανὸν ὑποβέβηκεν ἀχλὺς, Kal 
, ’ ’ ‘ εν»Ἁ»κ 
πάντα πανταχόθεν συννέφελα, καὶ οἱ ἄνεμοι 
\ . , " ’ [4 Ε 
πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀρασσόμενοι ὅσον οὕπω κυ- 
Ἁ 9 A 
κήσειν τὸ πελαγος ἐπαγγελλονται. ᾿Αλλα 
4 - “ ἴω 4 ~ , 
καὶ οἱ δελφῖνες ἀνασκιρτῶντες καὶ τῆς θαλατ- 
9 ) ἘΝ 3 ; ~ 
τῆς ἀνοιδουμένης λείως ἐφαλλόμενοι, χειμῶνα 
Α , 9 , , ’ , 
καὶ τάραχον ἐπιόντα μηνύουσι. ‘Tavpouv dé 
9 4 9 2 Ν e A , 
φασιν ἐπιτολὴν κατ οὐρανὸν of τὰ μετέωρα 
4 ΄σ « , , 9 
δεινοὶ τανῦν ἑστάναι. ἸΙολλάκις οὖν σώζον- 
3 ° , , , 
ται ὑπὶ ἀσφαλείας of προμηθούμενοι φυλαξ- 
ὃ A , 2 'A ‘ “ ’ 
ασθαι τὸν κίνδυνον: εἰσὶ δὲ οἱ παραδόντες 
ς ‘ Ψ ia ’ ἘΝ 3 ’ 
ἑαυτοὺς ἅπαξ τῷ πελάγει UT ἀμηχανίας 
“ , \ A 9 , / 
τῇ τύχῃ τοὺς οἴακας ἐπιτρέπουσι φέρεσθαι. 
7 3 ὔ \ A Ν ‘ , 
“Ὅθεν ἀκούομεν τοὺς μὲν κατὰ τὸ Μαλέας 
9 , A A A \ A 
ἀκρωτήριον, τοὺς δὲ κατὰ Tov Σικελικὸν 


yyy ᾿ \ 
πορθμὸν, ἄλλους δὲ εἰς TO Λυκιακὸν πέλα- 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 17 


x: 
CEPHALUS TO PONTIUS. 


THE surface of the ocean, as you see, 
is already rough; a thick mist has over- 
spread the heavens; the sky is everywhere 
covered with clouds. The winds, driven 
together, threaten every moment to disturb 
the sea. The dolphins, leaping lightly 
over the swelling waves, herald the ap- 
proach of stormy weather: those who are 
skilled in astronomy say that Taurus is 
rising in the heavens. Those who take 
due precautions against dangers for the 
most part come off uninjured; but there 
are others who, from despair, abandon 
themselves to the: waves of their own 
free will, and leave the guidance of the 
helm to chance. Hence we hear that 
some are carried along by the current to 
the promontory of Malea, and others to the 
Sicilian strait or the Lycian Sea, dashed 

3—2 


18 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


wd , bd / a 
γος ῥύμῃ φερομένους ἐποκέλλειν ἢ KaTa- 
’ ΕΝ 4 \ \ 
δύεσθαι. Ἔστι δὲ οὐδὲν τούτων πρὸς 
“~ ‘ , e Ἁ bd ’ 
χειμῶνα καὶ κίνδυνον 0 Kadnpevs ἐπιεικέ- 
7 On ° ~ ‘ 
atepos. ᾿Αναμείναντες οὖν ἀπολῆξαι τὸ 
, A A " ’ 
κλυδώνιον κα ἱκαθαρὰ ναϊθρίαν γενέσθαι, περι- 
, + 4 ᾽ ~ ~ , 
νοστήσομεν ἄχρι Kat αὐτοῦ τοῦ Kadnpéws 
“A 93 “ eo? »” , “~ 93 ’ 
τῶν ἀκτῶν: ἵν εἴ πού τι τῶν ἐκ ναναγίας 
? ‘ € , “A “ f 
ἀποπτυσθὲν εὑρεθείη σῶμα, τοῦτο περιστεί- 
“ἣν , 5 Ν x 
λαντες ταφῇ καλύψωμεν. Οὐ yap apuiocbov 
‘ χω “ ‘ ~ ~ 3 
TO εὖ ποιεῖν, κἂν μή παραχρῆμα τῆς ev- 
, ° , r / ‘ 
epyetias ἡ ἀντίδοσις φαίνηται. Τρέφει de 
sat a ι > , Ἢ ~ 
οὐδὲ ἧττον τοὺς ἀνθρώπους πρὸς τοῖς 
9 ’ὔ κ] - A - A , 
ἐλπιζομένοις ἀγαθοῖς, καὶ διαχεῖ τὴν καρδίαν 
4 ’ ‘ , ᾿] oe 3 ‘ « 
τὸ συνειδὸς, καὶ μαλισθ ὅταν εἰς τοὺς ὃμο- 
, 3 ΓΑ > ς ‘ 3 , , 
φύλους οὐκ er ὄντας THY εὐποιίαν καταβαλ- 


λωνται. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 18 


upon the rocks, and swamped. The 
promontory of Caphareus is no better for 
ships in stormy weather. Therefore, let 
us wait until the sea is calm, and the 
air has cleared, before we explore the 
coast near this headland: perhaps we 
may find a body thrown up, the remnant 
of a shipwrecked crew, to which we may 
pay the honours of burial. A good 
action never misses its reward, even 
though it does not follow immediately 
upon the deed. The approval of the 
conscience, in addition to the hope of 
reward, supports and cheers the heart 
exceedingly, especially when we do a 
kindness to those of our fellows who 
are no more. 


19 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOZ 


XI. 


Ovvvaios Σκοπέλῳ. 


5 , ς , , a , 
Ακήκοας ἀκουσμάτων βαρυτάτων, ὦ Σκό- 
’ὔ - -. , 
weve; Στόλον ᾿Αθηναῖοι διανοοῦνται πέμπειν 
᾿] 4 « ΄ 9 Ul A 
εἰς τὴν ὑπερορίαν, ναυμαχεῖν ἐθέλοντες. Kat 
κ , \ , 
ἤδη μὲν ἡ Ilapados καὶ ἡ Σαλαμινία αἱ 
, ~ 7 , 
μάλιστα ταχυναυτοῦσαι mpodposot λύουσι 
΄“ of ’ 4 ~ 
τῶν ἠϊόνων τὰ πρυμνήσια, τοὺς μαστῆρας, 
A , - 9 , ᾽ a . oo 
ot μελλουσιν ἐπαγγέλλειν, Tap οὗ καὶ OTE 
a , , > / , 
δεῖ ἀπιέναι πολεμήσοντας ἐνθέμενα. Xpeta 
“- A 4 ‘ 4 , 
ταῖς λοιπαῖς ναυσὶ TO στρατιωτικὸν τάγμα 
, - ~ , A ς᾽ [ἐ 
δεχομέναις ἐρετῶν πλειόνων καὶ οὐχ ἥκιστα 
, ° 7, A ’ " ’ 
ἐμπείρων ἀνέμοις καὶ κύμασιν ἀπομάχεσθαι. 
’ 3 3 , A ’ , \ 
Ti οὖν, ὦ βέλτιστε, δρῶμεν ; φεύγομεν ἢ 
’ “ ᾽ > “ 4 
μένομεν ; ᾿Ανδρολογοῦσι δ᾽ ἐκ Πειραιῶς καὶ 
Φαληρόθεν καὶ Σουνίου καὶ μέ ὧν αὐτῷ 
np καὶ μέχρι TOV αὐτῷ 
ἊΝ , ΝΣ A ~ , 
Τεραιστῷ προσοίκων ὁρίων τοὺς τῆς θαλάτ- 
b] , lle A A e - ε A 
TS ἐργατας. @s δὲ καὶ ἡμεῖς, Of μηδε. 


4 ° Α sas ε U 
τὴν ἀγορὰν εἰδότες, ὑπομείναιμεν παρα- 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON ig 


XI. 


THYNNAEUS TO SCOPELUS. 


Have you heard the important news, 
Scopelus? The Athenians are thinking of 
sending a fleet to foreign parts, to carry 
on a naval campaign. The Paralus and 
Salaminia, the swiftest vessels afloat, lead- 
ing the way, are already unmoored, and 
have taken on board the commissioners 
who are to settle the time and starting- 
point of the expedition. The rest of the 
ships, which are to transport the troops, 
require the services of a number of oars- 
men, who have had experience in con- 
tending with the winds and waves. What 
are we to do then, my good friend? 
Shall we run away or stay? Everywhere, 
from Piraeus, Phalerum, and Sunium, as 
far as the neighbourhood of Geraestus, they 
are enlisting sailors. How should we be 
able to remain quiet in the ranks and to 


20 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


, 4 « ’ ᾿] , € 
τάττεσθαι, καὶ ὁπλομαάχοις ἀνδρασιν ὑπηρε- 
a “- A Ja a“ “~ 
τεῖσθαι; Δυοῖν de ὄντοιν χαλεποῖν, τοῦ τε 
’ > A , 4 4 nw 
φεύγειν ἐπὶ τέκνοις Kal γυναιξὶ, τοῦ TE 

[ὦ , a A , 
μέλλειν ξίφεσιν ὁμοῦ καὶ θαλαττῃ παραδι- 
, A ~ ΄- , + ς ΄ 
δόναι τὸ σῶμα, τοῦ μένειν ὄντος ἀλυσιτελοῦς, 


Ἀ 
τὸ φεύγειν ἐφάνη λυσιτελέστερον. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON “26 


obey the orders of men in arms, we who 
know nothing even about the contests of 
the law courts? We have a choice of 
two evils: to leave our wives and children 
and take to flight, or to expose our lives 
to the perils of the sword and the sea. 
Since it is useless to remain, flight seems 
preferable. 


21 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


XII. 


, 


NavoiBios Ἱρυμναίῳ. 


é 
e ’ e Seid 4 A e , 
Hyvoovv ὅσον εἰσὶ τρυφερὰ καὶ aBpo- 
, 7 5 , ’ ‘ , 
βια τῶν ᾿Αθήνησι πλουσίων τὰ μειράκια. 
+ A U ‘ ὡς 
Evayxos δὲ Παμφίλου μετὰ τῶν συνηλικιω- 
wr , \ , « a 2 
τῶν μισθουμένου τὸ σκαφίδιον, ὡς dv ἔχῃ 
΄ “-“- ; - e 
γαληνιῶντος τοῦ πελάγους περιπλεῖν ἅμα 
A , - ~ v ~ 9. ’ὔἢ 
καὶ συμμετέχειν ἡμῖν τῆς ἄγρας τῶν ἰχθύων, 
»᾿ e , τῳ εκ ᾿] ~ 4 , 
ἔγνων, ἡλίκα αὑτοῖς εκ γῆς καὶ θαλαττῆς 
1S ’ ? ‘ > , 
πορίζεται τρυφήματα. Ov yap ἀνεχόμενος 
“ , ~ ¢ , > , , 
τῶν ξύλων τῆς ἁλιάδος, ἐπί Te ταπήτων 
A A 4 3 ’ \ 
τινῶν ξενικῶν καὶ ἐφεστρίδων κατακλιθεὶς 
5 A a? »” > A ς 
(οὐ yap οἷος τε ἔφασκεν εἶναι κεῖσθαι, ὡς 
4 Te, ~ Ul A 
of λοιποί, ἐπὶ τῶν καταστρωμάτων, THY 
, > ld “ 7, 
σανίδα οἶμαι νομίζων λίθου τραχυτέρων), 
4 ~ ‘ 3 an 
ἤτει παρ᾽ ἡμῶν σκιὰν αὐτῷ μηχανήσασθαι, 
‘ “ ’ , ε Ud 
τὴν TOU ἱστίου σινδονα ὑπερπετάσαντας, ὡς 
Ε “ ἢ’ ᾽ , \ € ‘ 
οὐδαμῶς οἷός τὲ ὧν φέρειν Tas ἡλιακὰς 
᾽ ΄- e - A > ’ .“ , 
ἀκτῖνα. Ἡμῖν δὲ ov μόνον τοῖς ταύτην 
, A 3 , 5 Ἀ 4 ~~ 
ποιουμένοις THY ἐργασίαν, ἀλλα καὶ πάσιν 
ε “A “ ‘ Ul / 
ἁπαξαπλῶς, ὅσοις μὴ περιουσία πλούτου 
, , la a ; 
πρόσεστι, σπουδάζεται ἔστιν οὗ δυναμένοις 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON ee 


XII. 
NAUSIBIUS TO PRYMNAEUS. 


I pip not know how luxurious and 
effeminate the sons of our wealthy Athe- 
nians were. But, lately, when Pamphilus 
and some of his friends hired my skiff, 
that they might go for a sail as the sea 
was calm and take part in a fishing-ex- 
pedition, I learned what luxuries they 
provided themselves with both on land 
and sea. Finding the wooden seats in © 
the boat disagreeable, Pamphilus stretched 
himself out upon some foreign carpets 
and rugs, declaring that he could not lie 
down upon the bare boards, which he 
no doubt thought harder than stone. 
He next asked us to make an awning 
for him, by spreading out the linen sails 
overhead, because he could not endure the 
heat of the sun’s rays: whereas not only we 
sailors, but all who are only moderately 


22 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


“te er , > » 4 Ἀ ‘ 
τῇ εἵλῃ θέρεσθαι: ἐν tow yap κρυμὸς Kat 
, ’ A “ > ’ X08 
θάλαττα. Φερομένων de ἅμα οὐ μόνος οὐδὲ 
A , “ U , ? ‘ 
μετὰ μόνων τῶν ἑταίρων ὁ IlaudiAos, ἀλλα 
A 7 i ~ 4 ΄' 
καὶ γυναίων αὐτῷ περιττῶν τὴν ὥραν πλῆθος 
’ 4 oa A 4 
συνείπετο, μουσουργοὶ πᾶσαι (ἡ μὲν yap 
> - 1 Φ > , ε ai 
ἐκαλεῖτο ἸΚρουμάτιον, καὶ ἣν αὐλητρίς: ἡ δὲ 
? ‘ A , »+ 
Epato, καὶ ψαλτήριον μετεχειρίζετο: ἄλλη 
Ἁ ‘ A , 
de Evens, αὕτη δὲ κύμβαλα ἐπεκρότει). 
᾽ , a A » , 
Ἐγένετο οὖν μοι μουσικῆς ἡ ἄκατος πλέα, 
A ζυ ° ‘\ A ’ ‘ ΄σ΄ [ἐ 
καὶ ἣν φδικὸν τὸ πέλαγος, καὶ -πᾶν θυμηδίας 
» , ‘ 3 , ~ ° aS 
ἀνάμεστον. ἴλην ἐμὲ ye ταῦτα οὐκ ἔτερ- 
Salt 4 " 9 ’ ~ ε , 4 
πεν, οὐδὲ γὰρ οὐκ ὀλίγοι τῶν ὁμοβίων καὶ 
’ Ἁ ’ A Ss 
μάλιστα ὁ πικρὸς Τλαυκίας TeAxivos ἣν μοι 
“ , 3 A 4 \ A 
βασκαίνων βαρύτερος. ᾿Επεὶ δὲ τὸν μισθὸν 
A , > 7 , , 4 
πολὺν κατεβάλετο, τἀργύριόν με διέχει, καὶ 
" 5 , ‘ ὰ > ~ 
νῦν ἐκείνου τοὺς ἐπιθαλαττίους ἀγαπῶ κώ- 
4 “ , ς᾽ ~ , 
μους, Kal τοιοῦτον δεύτερον ἐπιστῆναί μοι 
“A ‘ A ~ , 
ποθῶ δαπανηρὸν Kat πολυτελῆ νεανίσκον. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON τίν". 


wealthy, as a rule seek every oppor- 
tunity of warming ourselves in the sun; 
for the sea and cold go together. Cer- 
tainly Pamphilus had not merely brought 
his male friends, but he was accompanied 
by a number of very pretty women, all 
musicians. The name of one was Cruma- 
tium, who played on the flute; another, 
Erato, was a harpist; and Euepes beat 
the cymbals. Thus my bark was full of 
music, the sea resounded. with song, 
and mirth and gaiety prevailed. To me 
alone this afforded no enjoyment. For 
several of my fellows, especially the spite- 
ful Glaucias, with his jealousy, caused 
me more uneasiness than a Telchinian. 
However, the ample payment he gave me 
cheered me; and now I am so fond of 
these pleasure-parties on the sea, that 
I wish I could find another of these 
generous and wealthy young men. 


23 ΑΛΚΊΦΡΟΝΟΣ PHTOPOZ 


XITI. 
Αὐχένιος ᾿Αρμενίῳ. 


, , A ΄“ 
Ei μέν τι δύνασαι συμπραττειν, καὶ δῆτα 
9 ‘ e , 
λεγε πρός με, οὐ πρὸς ἑτέρους ἔκπυστα 
ρ 
A“ 5" ’ 9 ‘ A or > a“ 
ποιῶν Tapa εἰ de μηδὲν οἷός τε εἶ ὠφελεῖν, 
a“ ~ Υ͂ ’ 
γενοῦ μοι τανῦν ᾿Αρεοπαγίτου στεγανώτερος. 
Ἔ \ . oo \ ge 
γὼ δὲ ὅπη ποτὲ TaMa σοι διηγήσομαι' 
+ ’ 2a \ e \ an 
ἔρως με οὐκ ἐᾷ παρεμπεσων vO τοῦ λογισ- 
~ “ 9 ‘ ‘ “A > 9 
μοῦ κυβερνᾶσθαι, ἀλλὰ τὸ νῆφον ἐν ἐμοὶ 
~ 4 ~ , ’ὔ , 
συνεχῶς ὑπὸ τοῦ πάθους βυθίζεται.  Iodev 
, " « ’ κι] ~ 
yap ποτε εἰς ἁλιέα δύστηνον ἀγαπητῶς 
‘ 9 , 9 , 4 + 
τὴν ἀναγκαίαν ἐκπορίζοντα διατροφὴν ἔρως 
4 9 Α 9 » TR > 
ἐνέσκηψε, Kal ἐντακεὶς οὐκ ἀνίησιν, GAN 
+ - la 4 e - ’ 
ἴσα τοῖς πλουσίοις καὶ ὡρικοῖς νεανίσκοις 
, ᾿ , 9 a $i τ 98 A 
preyouat; καὶ ὃ ποτε γελῶν τοὺς εκ τρυφῆς 
’ ld “5 A “" , 
πάθει δουλεύοντας, ὅλος εἰμὶ τοῦ παθους 


r ~ A \ e ’ 3 , 
γαμησείω νῦν, καὶ τὸν Ypeévaov ἐκφαντά- 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 23 


XIII. 
AUCHENIUS TO ARMENIUs, 


Ir you can help me, tell me frankly, 
but do not talk of my affairs to anyone 
else ; but, if you cannot, at least be more 
secret than a member of the Areopagus. 
Meanwhile, this is the state of affairs. 
Love has attacked my heart, and will 
not allow me to be guided by reason. 
All sense is swamped within me by this 
passion. How ever has it come to pass that 
love has violently attacked me, a poor 
fisherman, who was till lately quite satis- 
fied if he could make enough to live upon ? 
It has taken deep hold of me and will not 
let me go, and I am as much inflamed 
as any rich and handsome young man. 
I, who once laughed at those whose 
effeminacy made them the slaves of their 
passion, am now entirely in its power; 
I want a wife, and I can think of no- 


24 AAKI®@PONOY PHTOPOS 


Coua, τὸν παῖδα τῆς Τερψιχόρης. Ἔστι 
δὲ ἡ παῖς, ἧς ἐρῶ, τὸ τῶν μετοίκων θυγά- 
τριον τῶν ἐξ Ἑρμιόνης οὐκ οἵδ᾽ ὅπως εἰς 
Πειραιᾷ φθαρέντων. ἤλλλην μὲν οὖν δοῦναι 
“- 3 + 9 \ A ’ oT φ 
προῖκα οὐκ ἔχω, ἐμαυτὸν δὲ δείξας, οἷός εἶμι 
θαλαττουργὸς, εἰ μὴ μαίνοιτο ὁ ταύτης 


Ἁ ’ > , , 
πατήρ, οἶμαι παρέξειν ἐπιτήδειον νυμφιον. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 24 


thing but Hymenaeus, son of Terpsichore. 
The girl I love is the daughter of one 
of those foreigners who, somehow or 
other, have migrated from Hermione to 
Piraeus, to our sorrow. I have certainly 
no dowry to offer; but I hope, if I intro- 
duce myself as what I am, a simple 
fisherman, that I shall be considered an 
eligible suitor, unless her father is mad. 


25 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


XIV. 
7 ς , 
Εγκύμων Αλικτύπῳ. 
, 9ON b gas, ~ 3.. ἢ “ 9 , 
Ἡρόμην ἰδὼν ἐπὶ τῆς ἠϊόνος τῆς ἐν Σουνίῳ 
, \ κι , , oa + 
παλαιὸν Kal τετρυχωμένον δίκτυον ὅτου εἴη, 
A , ld " > , κι A 
καὶ τίνα τρόπον οὐκ ἐξογκούμενον ἀποσχισθὲν, 
+ A xe \ ’ , e Χ 
ἤδη δὲ καὶ ὑπο χρόνου παλαιότητος διεῤῥωγὸος 
? / ε \ » \ ~ , 
ἀπέκειτο. Olé de ἔφασαν σὸν κτῆμα γεγονέναι 
‘ , , > “ 4)? ε , 
πρὸ τούτων τεττάρων ἐτῶν, εἶθ᾽ ὑφάλῳ Tpos- 
“ / Ν 3 “A 
ομιλῆσαν πέτρᾳ, κατὰ μέσον ἀποσχισθῆναι 
~ , nw 4 93 9 ’ , 5 , 
τῶν πλεγμαάτων: σοῦ δὲ ἐξ ἐκείνου μήτε ἀκέ- 
> , 4 - 
σασθαι, μήτε ἀνελέσθαι βουληθέντος, μεῖναι, 
\ ~ , ς > , 
μηδενὸς τῶν περιοικούντων ὡς ἀλλοτρίου 
; , 3 3 , = 9 
θιγγάνειν ἐπιχειρήσαντος. ᾿᾿ὐγένετο οὖν οὐκ 
9 r , > \ A ~ “" 
κείνων μόνον, ἀλλα καὶ σοῦ τοῦ ποτε δεσ- 
, \ 3 , 97 ὅ5, Oy \ 
πότου λοιπὸν ἀλλότριον. Αἰτῶ οὖν σε TO 
“΄- “ 4 a , A , A a ae 
τῇ φθορᾷ καὶ τῷ χρόνῳ μὴ σόν. Σὺ δ᾽ ὃ 
a 3 ’ 4 
παντελῶς ἀπωλείᾳ προσένειμας, ἥκιστα ζη- 


’ὔ Ψ ld ‘ \ , 
μιούμενος, ἕτοιμος ἔσο πρὸς THY δόσιν. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 25 


XIV. 
ENCYMON TO HALICTYPUS. 


I LATELY saw, on the beach at Su- 
nium, an old net torn and full of holes. I 
asked whose it was, and why it was lying 
there, as it had evidently not been broken 
by too heavy a load, but its rents were 
the result of age. I was told that it had 
belonged to you four years ago; that it 
had become entangled in a sunken reef, 
and its meshes torn in the middle. It 
appears that, since then, as you did not 
care either to mend or take it away, it 
has remained where it is, since none of 
the neighbours ventured to touch it, as 
they did not consider it belonged to them. 
Thus, not only these people, but you, 
the former owner, have abandoned your 
rights of possession. I therefore ask you 
to give me what is spoilt by age, and is 
really no longer your property. You can, 
without any loss to yourself, hand over 
to me that which you have already 
doomed to destruction. 

4—2 


26 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


XV. 


Αλίκτυπος ᾿Εγκύμονι. 


Δυσμενὴς καὶ βάσκανος ὁ τῶν γειτόνων 
ὀφθαλμὸς, φησὶν ἡ παροιμία'ι Τίς yap σοι 
τῶν ἐμῶν φροντίς; τί δὲ τὸ παρ ἐμοῦ 
ῥαθυμίας ἠξιωμένον κτῆμα σὸν εἶναι νομί- 

*> κ a ἴω A \ > , 
eis; εἶργε Tas χεῖρας, μᾶλλον δὲ Tas ἀπλή- 
3 \ , e “ 3 ’ 
στους ἐπιθυμίας: μὴ δέ σε ἡ τῶν ἀλλοτρίων 
» ς lA 9 ΄“- ’ 9 , 
ὄρεξις ἀδίκους αἰτεῖν χάριτας ἐκβιαζέσθω. 


XVI. 
Εγγκύμων ᾿Αλικτύπῳ. 


Ε ” f “« ἷ + 2 > a tae 
Οὐκ ἤτησα σε ἃ ἔχεις, GAN ἃ μὴ ἔχεις. 
> \ A b , τ ΑΨ Ψ A 
Ἐπεὶ δὲ ov βούλει, ἃ μὴ ἔχεις, ἕτερον ἔχειν, 
+ τὰ , iP 
ἔχε ἃ μὴ ἔχεις. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 26 


XV. 
HALICTYPUS TO ENCYMON. 


THERE is a proverb: A_ neighbour’s 
eye is spiteful and envious. How do my 
affairs concern you? By what right do 
you claim what it has pleased me to 
neglect? Hold your hands, or rather 
your insatiable desires; let not a greedy 
longing for what belongs to others force 
you to ask unreasonable favours. 


XVI. 
ENCYMON TO HALICTYPUs. 


I pip not ask you for anything that 
is yours, but for something that is not. 
Since you will not let anyone else have 
it, very well; keep what you have not 
got. 


27 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


XVII. 
Εὐσάγηνος Λιμενάρχῳ. 


Οὐκ ἐς κόρακας φθαρήσεται ὁ σκοπιωρὸς 
ὁ Λέσβιος; Φρίκῃ σκιερὰν κατὰ μέρος τὴν 
θάλατταν ἰδὼν ἀνεβόησεν, ὡς πλήθους ὅλου 
προσιόντος θύννων ἢ πηλαμίδων. Kat ἡμεῖς 
πεισθέντες, τῇ σαγήνῃ μονονουχὶ τὸν κόλπον 
ὅλον περιελάβομεν: εἶτα ἀνιμώμεθα, καὶ τὸ 
; [ἡ i. δὼ κ ; > , 
βάρος μεῖζον ἣν ἢ κατὰ φορτίον ἰχθύων. 
᾿Ελπίδι οὖν καὶ τῶν πλησίον τινὰς ἐκαλοῦ- 
, 5 , 9 ,ὔ 5" 
μεν μερίτας ἀποφαίνειν ἐπαγγελλόμενοι, εἰ 
συλλάβοιντο ἡμῖν καὶ συμπονήσαιεν. Τέλος 
μόγῳ πολλῷ δείλης ὀψίας εὐμεγέθη κάμηλον 
ἐξειλκύσαμεν μυδῶσαν ἤδη καὶ σκώληξιν ἐπι- 
, ~ , 5" e » 
βρύουσαν. 'οιαῦτα θηράσας, οὐχ ἵνα ἐπι- 
γελάσῃς ἐδήλωσα, GAN ἵνα μάθῃς, αἷς καὶ 
πόσαις μηχαναῖς ἡ τύχη ἐμὲ τὸν ἀτυχῆ κατα- 


, 
γωνίζεται. 


δον, δῶν (ὼς ἃ... χὡ 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON : 27 


XVII. 
EUSAGENUS TO LIMENARCHUS. 


ConrounD that Lesbian watcher ! 
When he saw the sea in some parts 
growing black and rough, he shouted 
out, as if a large shoal of young or old 
tunnies was approaching. Believing him, 
we almost completely surrounded the bay 
with our nets; then we hauled them up, 
and they felt heavier than is usual after 
a catch. In a state of expectation, we 
summoned the _ neighbours, promising 
them a share in the spoil if they would 
assist and aid us in our labours. At 
length, after great efforts, at nightfall we 
brought to land—an enormous camel, 
quite rotten and alive with worms. I 
have told you of this catch of ours, not 
to make you laugh, but that you may 
know how completely and by what means 
fortune overwhelms my unlucky self. 


28 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


XVIII. 
Εὔπλοος Θαλασσέρωτι. 


ΝΣ La) a , . " ’ὔ , 
. Ὑπερμαζᾷς ἢ μέμηνας ἀκούω yap σε 
rx ὃ ΄σ 4 . oA \ τῷ 9 , θ ,’ 
υρῳδοῦ γυναικὸς ἐρᾶν, καὶ ὡς ἐκείνην φθειρό- 
“ 4 3 Vv + , 
μενον, πᾶσαν τὴν ἐφήμερον ἄγραν κατατί- 
3 , , a 7 
θεσθαι. ᾿Απήγγειλε yap μοι τοῦτο γειτόνων 
e lA , ΝΜ Α ~ ΕἸ ~ 
ὁ βέλτιστος Σωσίας. “Kote δὲ τῶν ἐπιεικῶς 
a > , , A ° 3 
τὴν ἀλήθειαν τιμώντων, καὶ οὐκ ἂν ποτε 
> an 4 9 ’ ῃ 
ἐκεῖνος εἰς ψευδηγορίαν ὠλίσθησεν. Οὗτος 
> ΄ ’ e Ἁ Ἁ A ¢at , 
ἐκεῖνος Σωσίας ὁ τὸν χρηστὸν καὶ ἡδὺν yapov 
« “~ 5 “ ᾿ 
ἑψῶν ἐκ τῶν λεπτοτέρων ἰχθύων, οὃς ἐγκολ- 
ἢ - , , > ἬΝ, 
πίζεται τῇ σαγήνῃ. Πόθεν οὖν, εἰπέ μοι, 
΄ , A Ἁ 4 
μουσικῆς σοι διάτονον Kal χρωματικὸν Kal 
>’ , , 9 “ ς “ἃ 4 
ἐναρμόνιον μέλος ἐστίν, ὡς αὐτὸς ἔφασκεν 
> , ε ΄“΄οΟ' 4 ~ er ΄ 
ἐπαγγέλλων; Ομοῦ γὰρ τῇ ὥρᾳ τῆς παι- 
, 5 Ul Νὴ - , 
δίσκης ypacOys καὶ τοῖς κρούμασι. Lléeraveo 


> ΄“ ’ , > ‘ ΄-- , 
ἐς ταῦτα δαπανώμενος, μὴ σε ἀντὶ τῆς θαλατ- 








——-- 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 28 


XVIII. 
EuUPLOUS TO THALASSEROS. 


You must be suffering from the effects 
of high feeding, or else you are mad. I 
hear that you are madly enamoured of a 
singing-woman, and that, in paying ruinous 
visits to her, you squander all your daily 
profits. I have heard this from our ex- 
cellent neighbour Sosias, who has a great 
respect for the truth, and would never 
be betrayed into falsehood: I mean the 
Sosias who is so skilful at- making that 
excellent savoury broth from the little 
fish which he snares in his nets. Tell 
me, then, what has given you the idea 
of music, of the diatonic, harmonic, 
and chromatic styles, as he said, when 
he informed me about it? You are in 
love both with the girl’s beauty and her 
music, as it seems. Leave off spending 
your money on such things, else you will 


29 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPO> 


€ “ Ἁ ᾽ , 4, ~ 
τῆς ἡ γῆ νανηγὸν ἀποφήνῃ Ψιλώσασα τῶν 
U ‘ , U ‘ lon , 
χρημάτων, Kal γένηταί σοι TO τῆς ψαλτρίας 
καταγώγιον ὁ ζαλυδώνιος κόλπος ἢ τὸ Τυῤ- 
ῥηνικὸν πέλαγος, καὶ Σκύλλα ἡ μουσουργὸς, 
> + , , oe 3 “ ° 
οὐκ «ἔχοντί σοι Kparaiv ἐπικαλεῖσθαι, εἰ 


δεύτερον ἐφορμᾳ. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON Ὁ 28 


suffer shipwreck on land instead of on 
sea; you will be stripped of your sub- 
stance, and the abode of this singing- 
woman will prove as dangerous to you 
as the gulf of Calydon, the Tyrrhenian 
sea, or Scylla the songstress, since you 
will not be able to call upon Crataiis, if 
she attacks you a second time. 


30 ΑΛΚΊΦΡΟΝΟΣ PHTOPOZ 


XIX. 
Θαλασσέρως Humrodyw. 


Τηνάλλως ποιεῖς THY πρός με νουθεσίαν, 
᾿ ἢ > ‘ Ν ᾿] ΠῚ > td ~ 
ὦ Ἐὔπλοε. ᾿Εγὼ yap οὐκ ἂν ἁποσταίην τῆς 
>] , “ a“ , 4 
ἀνθρώπου, θεῷ μυσταγωγοῦντι Tuppopw καὶ 
τοξοφόρῳ πειθόμενος. Kat ἄλλως ἡμῖν τὸ 
- Ws 2. A ~ , ~ / 
ἐρᾶν συγγενὲς, τῆς θαλαττίας θεοῦ τεκούσης 

A \ , ε , a x 
τοῦτο TO παιδίον. ‘“Huérepos οὖν πρὸς μη- 
τρὸς ὁ Ἔρως, καὶ ὑπὸ τούτου βληθεὶς τὴν 
καρδίαν, ἔχω πρὸς θαλάττῃ τὴν κόρην, ἸΤανόπῃ 
νομίζων ἢ Ταλατείᾳ ταῖς καλλιστευούσαις 


τῶν Νηρηίδων συνεῖναι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 40 


XIX. 
THALASSEROS TO EUPLOUS. 


Your exhortations are useless, Euplous. 
It is quite impossible for me to give up this 
girl, now that I follow the god who has 
initiated me into the mysteries, the god 
who is armed with torch and bow. Βε- 
sides, love is quite natural to us toilers 
on the sea: was not a goddess of the 
sea the mother of the winged boy? thus 
Love is related to us on the mother’s 
side. Smitten by him to the heart, I 
enjoy the company of my girl on the 
shore, and think that in her I possess a 
Panope, or Galatea, the most beautiful 
of the Nereids. 


31 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


XX. 
Θερμολέπυρος ᾿Ὡκίμωνι. 


, - ‘ ” 
Σχέτλια πεπόνθαμεν: τοῖς γὰρ ἄλλοις 
> Α ~ \ #” , 
οὖθαρ Kal μῆτραι Kat ἧπαρ δρόσῳ προσεοι- 
ἈΝ Ν Ἁ ᾿» ‘ , 4 
kos διὰ τὴν ἐκ τῆς πιότητος λεπτότητα 
᾿ τῶν 1  Ψ Ss \ “ 4 
παρέκειτο, ἡμῖν δὲ ἔτνος ἣν τὸ βρῶμα: καὶ 
+ 3 κ 
οἱ μὲν Χαλυβώνιον ἔπινον, ἐκτροπίαν δὲ 
Ἂς, ; 1 49 a 4 
ἡμεῖς καὶ ὀξίνην. ᾿Αλλ᾽ @ μοιραῖοι θεοὶ 
4 ὁ [ ’ 
καὶ μοιραγέται δαίμονες, δοίητε παρατρο- 
4 ~ 997 , / A A \ 
πὴν τῆς ἀδίκου ταύτης τύχης, καὶ μὴ τοὺς 
8 a , 3 , ‘ 4 Si 
μὲν διηνεκεῖ φυλάττετε εὐτυχίᾳ, τοὺς δὲ TH 
“ , ε A 4 ~ 
λιμῷ συνοικίζετε. H γὰρ φορὰ τῆς eiuap- 
, ‘ “ “ » 
μένης τὰ τοιαῦτα κατηναγκασεν. "Αδικα 
, Ἁ ᾿ τ ΩΝ . - 4 “~ 
πάσχομεν πρὸς αὐτῆς of λεπτῇ καὶ στενῇ 


κεχρημένοι τῇ τύχῃ. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON gE 


XX. 
THERMOLEPYRUS TO OCIMON. 


I HAVE been disgracefully treated! 
The other guests were served with sow’s 
udder and womb, and liver, which from 
the delicacy of its fat might have been 
compared to dew, while we had nothing but 
pea-soup. They drank wine from Chaly- 
bon: we had wine that had gone off, as 
sour as vinegar. O gods and _ spirits, 
who preside over and regulate our des- 
tinies, avert from us such injustice of for- 
tune: do not keep some in a state of 
perpetual happiness, and give others 
hunger for a constant companion. The 
course of destiny has reduced humanity to 
melancholy necessities. But. we, whose 
lot is poor and miserable, are treated by 
her with the most cruel injustice. 


32 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


XXI. 


Κωνωποσφράντης ᾿Ισχολίμῳ. 


< 


9 ’ > ’ Ν 9 8 ~ 
Ανεμιαίους ἐλπίδας ἔσχον ἐπὶ TH μειρα- 
r “ a \ 2-8 3 
κίῳ ἸΠολυκρίτῳ. "“Qiuny yap αὐτὸν, εἰ 
, > σε ‘ , axe 9 , 
τεθναίη αὐτῷ ὁ πατὴρ, χύσιν ἂν ἐργάσασθαι 
an 9 ’ A A κ] ~~ A 
τῆς οὐσίας πολλήν, Kat ἀδηφαγοῦντα Kat 
“- , “- , 
καθηδυπαθοῦντα μετὰ TE ἡμῶν μετὰ TE 
~ “~ a A A 
τῶν ἑταιρῶν, ὅσαι κατὰ THY ὥραν πρωτεύ- 
9 A a \ r a \ x 
οὐσιν, ἐξαντλοῦντα ἢ TO πᾶν ἢ τὸ πολὺ 
“ ς 4 9 ‘ t +) ΦΎ « 
τῆς οὐσίας. O δε, ἐπειδὴ Κρίτων αὐτῷ ὁ 
9 7 a 4 BJ A “ 
γεννήσας ἀπεγένετο, σιτεῖται μὲν ὄψε τῆς 
ε , ‘ ~ 9 4 ~ Ὁ ~~ ἢ Ν 
ἡμέρας, καὶ τοῦτο ὄψνε τῆς ὥρας ἡλίου λοιπὸν 
3 A , ld a ‘ ‘ ~ 
ἀμφὶ δύσιν ἔχοντος. Σιτεῖται de οὐδὲν τῶν 
“- 5, > + \ τς 9 lanl A 
πολυτελῶν, GAN ἄρτον τὸν ἐξ ἀγορᾶς καὶ 
3, » 3 , ς ? , 
OWov, εἴποτε εὐημερίας ἡμεραν επιτελοίη, 
a \ , A Oy ~ 
δρυπετεῖς ἢ φαυλίας. δΔιαμαρτῶν οὖν τῆς 
“ , 7 ’ 9 999 Φ 
θαυμαστῆς ταύτης ελπίδος οὐκ οἵδ᾽ ὅ τι 
4 , % ‘ e ’ a“ ~ 
kat Opava εἰ yap ὃ τρέφων δεῖται τοῦ 
, ’ x e , 9 li 
θρέψοντος, τί ἂν εἴη ὃ τρέφεσθαι ὀφείλων : 
, A , A ΄- 
λιμώττοντα δὲ λιμώττοντι συνεῖναι διπλοῦν 
\ , 
τὸ βάρος. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON ‘ea 


XXI. 
CONOPOSPHRANTES TO ISCHOLIMUS. 


My hopes of the young Polycritus have 
deceived me. I thought that, if his father 
should die, he would spend his money 
freely in feasting and all kinds of pleasure 
with us and in the company of beautiful 
women, and that he would have got rid 
of all his fortune, or the greater part of 
it, in this manner. Quite a mistake! 
ever since his father Criton died, he 
only takes one meal a day, and that 
quite late, just before Sunset. He eats 
no expensive dishes, but common bread 
from the market, and, when he wants to 
have a regular feast, he adds some over-ripe 
figs and half-rotten olives. Having been 
thus deceived in my wonderful expecta- 
tions, I do not know what I am tto do. 
For, if the supporter himself needs some 
one to support him, what is to become 
of him who needs to be supported? Itisa 
double misfortune for one hungry man to 
associate with another. 


33  AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


XXII. 
Εὔβουλος Τεμέλλῳ. 


ἡ Α ς » e a 
Παρέκειτο μὲν ἡμῖν ὁ VedXwvos τοῦ Σικε- 
“- " ’ τ] ‘ A A ~ 
λιώτον πλακοῦς ἐπώνυμος. Ἐγὼ de καὶ τῇ 
, ‘ Ν , 
θέᾳ μόνον πρὸς τὰς καταπόσεις εὐτρεπιζό- 
, , A > A 
μενος ηὐφραινόμην. Μέλλησις de ἦν πολλὴ 
, A / 
περιστεφόντων τραγημάτων τὰ πέμματα' 
a ΔΕ} ‘ A , "τς , 
ἣν δὲ ὁ καρπὸς τῆς πιστάκης καὶ βάλανοι 
’ 4 ’ ~ , , 9 , 
φοινίκων καὶ κάρυα τῶν ελύτρων ἐξῃρημένα. 
\ \ ᾿ A ΦΨ > A , 
᾿Εγὼ δὲ πρὸς ταῦτα ἕκαστα ἐχθρὰ βλέπων 
5 τὸν ? , ? \ 3 \ “ 
ἀνέμενον ἐπαφήσειν ἐμαυτὸν eyxavev τῷ 
a east ‘ a ᾧ Ὧν ite , 
πλακοῦντι: of δὲ Kal TO ἐντραγεῖν ETL μήκισ- 
3 , A , 4 
Tov ἐξέτειναν, καὶ κύλικος συνεχὲς περισο- 
, A A ‘ >] , 
βουμένης διατριβὰς καὶ μελλησμοὺς εἐνεποίουν. 
, 4 3 , A ? \ ° 
Τέλος, ὥσπερ ex συνθήματος τὴν ἐμὴν avap- 
A ’ , ε , YU ‘ 
τῶντες ἐπιθυμίαν, ὃ μέν τις Kappos λαβὼν 
>] , 4 εἢ ξ A , ~ 
ἐξεκάθαιρε Ta ἐνιζάνοντα τῶν βρωμάτων τοῖς 
5" ~ s Sars e A e 7 ε \ ao 
ὀδοῦσιν ἰνώδη ὁ δὲ ὑπτιᾶασας EavTOY οἷος 


ἣν ὕπνῳ κατέχεσθαι μᾶλλον 7 τῆς τραπέζης 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 33 


XXII. 
EUBULUS TO GEMELLUs, 


ONE of these cheese-cakes called after 
Gelon of Sicily was set before us. The 
very sight of it delighted me, and I was all 
eagerness to devour it; but this moment 
was put off for some time, for the cakes 
were surrounded with all kinds of sweets, 
made of pistachios, dates, and nuts out 
of the shell. I regarded all this with an 
unfriendly eye; and waited, with my 
mouth wide open, until it should be time 
to attack the cake. But the guests were 
an unconscionably long time finishing the 
sweetmeats, and the continual circulation 
of the wine-cup caused further delay. At 
last, as if it had been agreed to torture 
me with suspense, one of them began to 
clean his teeth with a piece of stick, 
another stretched himself on his _ back, 
as if he were more inclined to sleep than 

5—2 


34  AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


, * 4 + 7, A 
φροντίζειν: εἶτα ἄλλος ἄλλῳ διελέγετο, Kat 
’ ξ la ° , «ἃ ε εολ 5 - 
πάντα μᾶλλον ἐπράττετο, ἢ ὁ ἡδὺς εκεῖνος 

4 \ δ ὼς ~ “ς τι , 
καὶ ποθητὸς ἡμῖν πλακοῦς εἰς απόλαυσιν 
a , o ΒΝ ε A ’ 
ἤρχετο. Τέλος, ofa εἰκὸς, of θεοὶ κατοικτεί- 

A , ~ Φ ΄ ᾿ , 

pavres τὸ κατάξηρον τῆς ἐμῆς επιθυμίας, 

/ A e , , ΄σ ~ 
μόλις ποτὲ ἱμείροντὰ pe τοῦ πλακοῦντος 
" , . ee 
ἀπογεύσασθαι παρεσκεύασαν. Ταῦτα σοι 

, ΕἸ nw ° A - teas ε 4 
γράφω ov τοσοῦτον ἐπὶ τοῖς ἡδέσιν ἡσθεὶς, 
Μ ° A ‘23 ~ ~ nA 
ὅσον ἐπὶ τῇ παρολκῇ τῆς βραδυτῆτος 


? ἢ 
EKTAKELS. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 34 


to trouble himself about eating; then they 
began chattering, and nothing seemed 
farther from their thoughts than to give 
me a chance of enjoying the delicious 
and longed-for cake. At last, I believe, 
the gods had compassion upon my con- 
suming desire, and, after long delay, pro- 
cured me a taste of the cake I had so 
eagerly longed for. I write this, not so 
much with a feeling of pleasure, as of 
weariness and exhaustion after my pro- 
longed waiting. 


35 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPO 


XXIII. 
Πλατύλαιμος ‘EpeBrv@orX€orte. 


PALS ay A A 3 A ter 
Οὐπώποτε eyw κατὰ τὴν ᾿Αττικὴν ὑπε- 
los & ° Ν , ¥ 
μεινα τοιοῦτον χειμῶνα. Οὐ yap μόνον ἐκ 
“. κ᾿. i 4 
παραλλήλων φυσώντες, μᾶλλον δὲ φύρδην 
, , ς ΜΝ δ Ἂν 2 2 
φερόμενοι κατεκτύπουν ἡἥμων οἱ ἄνεμοι, αλλ 
A \ ‘ ἐν τὶς , , 
ἤδη καὶ χιὼν πυκνὴ καὶ ἐπάλληλος φερομένη, 
ἰοὺς A » 5 , + ° 
πρῶτον μὲν τοὔδαφος εκαλυπτεν ἔπειτα οὐκ 
" “~ 5 > “ δ > , 
ἐπιπολῆς, ἀλλ εἰς UYros ἤρετο τῆς vipados 
-“ , e > Ἁ > Ἁ , 
χῦμα πάμπολυ, ws ἀγαπητὸν εἶναι TO θυρίον 
° , ~ : weer \ ‘ 3 τ 
ἀνοίξαντα τῆς οἰκίας τὸν στενωπὸν ἰδεῖν. 
>] A A 3, 3 ~ 
Ἐμοὶ δὲ οὔτε ξύλον οὔτε ἄσβολος παρῆν. 
i \ a , ‘ e \ ‘ 9 , 
Ilws yap ἢ πόθεν; ὁ Kpumos δὲ εἰσεδύετο 
ry ie) ‘ 9 , 3 
μέχρι μυελῶν αὐτῶν καὶ ὀστέων. ᾿Εἰβουλευ- 
, τ᾿ > , ͵ a 
σάμην οὖν Οδύσσειον βούλευμα, δραμεῖν εἰς 
\ , “ἃ Ν , & 
τοὺς θόλους ἢ Tas καμίνους τῶν βαλανείων: 
3 > 9a8 2 - ? ε ὡς e 7 
ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ εκεῖσε συνεχώρουν οὗ τῶν ὁμοτέχ- 
Ν ~ , A \ ε 4 
νῶν περὶ ταῦτα KUAWOOUMEVOL’ καὶ γὰρ αὐτοὺς 


ἡ παραπλησία θεὸς ἠνόχλει, Πενίας Ὥς οὖν 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON κ8ς 


XXIII. 
PLATYLAEMUS TO EREBINTHOLEON. 


I HAVE never experienced so severe a 
winter in Attica. Not only did the winds, 
blowing side by side or rather rushing to- 
gether in confusion, fall violently upon 
us, but a steady fall of deep snow covered 
the ground: it did not stop at the 
surface, but rose to such a height, that, 
when you opened the door, you could 
hardly see the street that led to our 
house. As you may imagine, I had 
neither wood nor fuel, and the cold 
pierced me to the very marrow. I then 
bethought myself of a plan worthy of 
Ulysses—to run to the vapour-rooms or 
furnaces of the public baths. But even 
there my fellow-labourers, who were 
already assembled, refused to allow me 
to enter, for we were all of us tormented 
by the same goddess—Poverty. 


36 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOZ 


᾽ ’ Ole J ° a , 
noOounv οὐκ εἶναί μοι εἰς ταῦτα εἰσιτητέον, 
A 9 4A A , a 
δραμὼν ἐπὶ TO Θρασύλλου βαλανεῖον ἰδιωτι- 
A . 7 a ὡς , κ ‘ 
κῆς οἰκίας, εὗρον τοῦτο κενόν: καὶ καταβαλὼν 
9 Ἁ , 4 XN la , er 
ὀβολοὺς δύο, καὶ τὸν βαλανέα τούτοις ἵλεων 
, ? , 4 “Ὁ \ \ 
καταστήσας, εθερόμην, ἄχρις οὗ τὸν νιφετὸν 
A οὗ ’ 4 ¢ \ ΄ , 
μὲν πηγυλὶς διεδέξατο, καὶ ὑπὸ τοῦ κρύους 
΄“- \ a , \ > 
τοῦ μεταξὺ διεροῦ παγέντος πρὸς ἀλλήλους 
5 , ’ A A \ " , 
εδέδεντο of λίθο. Mera de τὸ ἀποβράσαι 
Ἁ ‘ ‘ e 9 , 
TO δριμὺ, προσηνὴς ὁ ἥλιος ἐλευθέραν μοι 
4 , A , > , 
τὴν πρόσοδον καὶ περιπάτους ἀνειμένως 


5 , 
ἀπέφηνεν. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 556 


As soon as I saw that there was no get- 
ting in there, I ran to the private bath of 
Thrasyllus, and this time I found nobody. 
Having appeased the bath-keeper with a 
couple of obols, I succeeded in warming 
myself. After this, the snow was succeeded 
by frost, the cold dried up the moisture, 
and the stones on the roads became ice- 
bound. At last, the temperature became 
milder, and the gentle sunbeams permitted 
me to go out again freely, and to take 
my usual walks abroad. | 


37 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOS 


XXIV. 
᾿Αμνίων Φιλομόσχῳ. 


, ~ ’ , 5 
᾿Απέκειρεν ἡμῶν ἡ χάλαζα βαρέως ἐμπε- 
.-. ᾿ 4 Tee A ~ af "557 
σοῦσα Ta λήϊα, καὶ λιμοῦ φάρμακον οὐδέν. 
Ὠ - θ ᾽ ς κα κι ‘ 4 9 
νεῖσθαι 6 ἡμῖν επακτοὺς πυροὺς οὐχ 
a? 4 , , a , 
οἷον Te δια σπάνιν κερμάτων. “Kori δὲ σοι, 
ε " ’ “ , 9 , U 
ὡς ἀκούω, τῆς πέρυσιν εὐετηρίας λείψνανα. 
, > ’ ” 
Δάνεισον οὖν μοι μεδίμνους εἴκοσιν, ὡς ἂν 
+ , , LS 4 ε 4 4 4 
ἔχοιμι σώζεσθαι αὐτὸς καὶ ἡ γυνὴ καὶ τὰ 
, “ \ 3 ’ , 3 
παιδίαυ ἹΚαρπῶν δὲ εὐφορίας γενομένης, ἐκ- 
3 \ \ ld A Fae > Me 4 
TITOMEV αὐτὸ TO μέτρον, καὶ λώϊον, Eav τις 
" , , A A of 3 A 
εὐθηνία γένηται. My δὴ περιΐδῃς ἀγαθοὺς 


, ° ‘ - nw 7 
γείτονας εἰς στενὸν τοῦ καιροῦ φθειρομένους. 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON ~~ 37 ' 


XXIV. 
AMNION TO PHILOMOSCHUS. 


A VIOLENT hailstorm has ruined our 
crops, and I see no remedy against famine, 
for our poverty prevents us from buying 
imported corn. I have been told that you 
still have something left from your abun- 
dant harvest of last year. Lend me then 
twenty bushels, to save the lives of my- 
self, my wife, and my children. If I 
have a good harvest, I will return it to 
you; yea, with interest, if I have an 
abundant crop. Do not desert, in time 
of need, such good neighbours, who are 
for the moment in difficulties. 


38 AAKI®PONOX PHTOPOZ 


XXV. 


Εὔστολος ᾿Ελατίωνι. 


ΕῚ , ~ - >) , ~ ’ 
Οὐδέν με τῆς γῆς ἀμειβθομένης τῶν πόνων 
4 + ° ‘ ᾿] - , 4 
ἄξιον, ἔγνων ἐμαυτὸν ἐπιδοῦναι θαλάττῃ καὶ 
, ~ 4A A Α ’ , 
κύμασι. Ζῆν μὲν γὰρ καὶ τεθνάναι μεμοίρ- 
ec - A ᾿ +S Ἁ , a 
αται ἡμῖν, Kal οὐκ ἔστι TO χρέος φυγεῖν 
ΠῚ by] sf A , ¢ A “ 
κἂν ἐν οἰκίσκῳ τὶς καθείρξας αὑτὸν τηρῇ: 
? ‘ 4 eae, , 2 , 4 ‘ 
evapyns γὰρ ἡ ἡμέρα εκείνη, καὶ TO πεπρω- 
, + a A ~ ς « A , 
μένον ἄφυκτον, ὥστε TO ζῆν οὐχ ὑπὸ τούτων 
, > A be , 
ταλαντεύεται, ἀλλ ὑπὸ τῇ τύχῃ βραβεύ- 
+ , 4 » 4 ~ 5 ’ὔ 
era. ᾿Ηδὴ yap τινες μὲν ἐπὶ γῆς ὠκύμοροι, 
>] 4 ’ Α , 
emt θαλάττης de μακρόβιοι KareBiwcar. 
sh 9 ou 00᾽ " + Puy 538 , 
στε εἰδὼς ταῦθ᾽ οὕτως ἔχειν, ETL ναυτιλίαν 
~ A 3 ἤ ¢ , A , 
βαδιοῦμαι, Kat ἀνέμοις ὁμιλήσω καὶ κύμασι. 
a Ν 93 , 5 , A 
Κρεῖττον yap ἐπανήκειν ex Βοσπόρου καὶ 
’ ’; «ἃ , 5 Α 
ΠΓροποντίδος νεόύπλουτον, ἢ καθήμενον ἐπὶ 
- ~ ~ > a “Ὁ 4 
ταῖς τῆς ᾿Αττικῆς ἐσχατιαῖς λιμῶδες Kal 


αὐχμηρὸν ἐρυγγάνειν. 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON . 38 


XXV. 
EvusTOLUS TO ELATION. 


SINcE the land does not sufficiently 
repay me for my labours, I have resolved 
to intrust my fortunes to the sea and the 
waves. Life and death are allotted to us 
by destiny: it is impossible for a man to 
escape the payment of this debt, even if he 
shut himself up in a cell. The day of death 
is fixed inevitably, and fate is unavoid- 
able. Life, therefore, does not depend 
upon the profession which we choose: 
it is subject to the arbitrament of fortune. 
Besides, many have perished in their 
youth on land, while others have lived 
to a great age at sea. Convinced of the 
truth of this, I will turn my attention to 
a seafaring life, and will live in the com- 
pany of the winds and waves. It is 
better for me to return home from the 
Bosphorus and Propontis with newly- 
acquired wealth, than to live, in a remote 
corner of Attica, a life of misery and 
poverty. 


39  AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


XXVI. 
᾿Αγελαρχίδης Πυθολάφ. 


, > r ‘ e ᾿ ‘ , 
Μέγα, ὦ φίλε, κακὸν of κατὰ τὴν πόλιν 
, 4 ἈΝ " > ’ \ 
τοκογλύφοι. ᾿Εγὼ yap, οὐκ οἶδα τί παθὼν, 
Ν 3 , 37 ~ 
deov παρὰ σὲ ἤ παρὰ Twa ἄλλον τῶν κατ᾽ 
5 4 , > a > 4A / 9 
ἀγρὸν γειτόνων ελθεῖν, ἐπεὶ κατέστην ἐν 
, ’ ’ > ‘ bit 
χρείᾳ χρημάτων, βουλόμενος ἐπὶ Kodrove 
, , / , ” 
πρίασθαι χωρίον, ξεναγήσαντός me τινος τῶν 
9 tal ? A ‘ , ’ > ’ 
ἀστικῶν ἐπὶ τὰς Βυρτίας θύρας ἀφικόμην. 
, ~ 
Eira καταλαμβάνω πρεσβύτην, ὀφθῆναι ῥικ- 
A , A ᾽ “ , al 
νὸν, συνεσπακότα Tas ὀφρῦς, χαρτίδια apxaia 
4 A 4 A , «ε 4 , 
τινα, σαπρὰ δὲ διὰ τὸν χρόνον, ὗπο κορεων 
A ἸᾺΝ e ’ 4 ‘ , 
καὶ σητῶν ἡμίβρωτα, διὰ χειρὸς κατέχοντα. 
"5Δλὰ 4 > / aA 7 
Εὐθὺς μὲν οὖν μόλις με προσεῖπε, ζημίαν 
, ‘ , > ~ 
ἡγούμενος τὴν προσηγορίαν: εἶτα τοῦ προξε- 
: ἢ ε , , , 
vou φήσαντος, ὡς δεοίμην χρημάτων, πόσων 


, “ , 
ἤρετο ταλάντων ; "Euov δὲ θαυμάσαντος τὴν 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 39 


XXVI, 
AGELARCHIDES TO PYTHOLAUS. 


My good friend, usurers are a great 
curse in the city. I do not know what was 
the matter with me.- When I might have 
applied to you or one of my neighbours 
in the country, when I wanted some 
money to pay for a field which I had 
bought at Colonus, I allowed myself to 
be taken by one of the inhabitants of the 
city to Byrtius’s door. There I found an 
old man, with shrivelled face and frowning 
brows, holding in his hand some dirty 
old pieces of paper, half eaten by bugs 
and moths. At first, he hardly spoke to 
me, apparently considering talking to be 
loss of time. When my introducer told 
him that I wanted money, he asked, 
“How many talents?” When I ex- 
pressed my astonishment at the mention 
of such a sum, he immediately put on an 


40 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


‘ ’ "27 x a = 
ὑπερβολὴν, διέπτυεν εὐθέως, Kat δῆλος ἣν 
Φ > , 4A 9 , 
δυσχεραίνων. ὅμως ἐδίδου καὶ amyTe ypap- 
- is 4 Se ° / , A A 
ματεῖον, Kal ἐπὶ τῷ ἀρχαίῳ τόκον βαρὺν καὶ 
‘ 9 , «ς ’ A BE 4 ’ 
τὴν οὐσίαν ὑποθεσει μηνὸς εἰσετι MOL μέγα 
A ‘ 9% e A 4 , 4 ee 
τὶ κακὸν εἰσὶν of περὶ Tas Widous καὶ τῶν 
, 4 , 9 , 
δακτύλων τὰς κάμψεις εἰλινδούμενοι: μή μοι 
’ 3 4 + , A , 
γένοιτο ἀγροίκων ἔφοροι δαίμονες, μὴ λύκον 


» ‘ 4 " - 
ἔτι, μὴ δανειστὴν ἰδεῖν. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 40 


air of contempt and made no secret of 
his impatience. However, he agreed to 
lend me the sum I wanted, and required 
my bond, in which I promised to pay 
him back the principal with enormous 
interest, and my property was to be se- 
curity for a month. I repeat it—such 
people are a curse, who revel in the 
-occupation of counting and _ reckoning 
on the fingers. O ye gods who protect 
the husbandman, preserve me from ever 
seeing a wolf or a money-lender again! 


4 AAKI@PONOS PHTOPOS 


XXVII. 
᾿Ανέκητος Φοιβιανῇ. 


, iO 4 , A 
Φεύγεις με, ὦ Φοιβιανὴ, φεύγεις, καὶ 

“ > , of \ 9 Ἀ " , 
ταῦτα ἀρτίως ὅλον τὸν ἀγρὸν ἀπενεγκαμένη. 
, A ΕΣ ed > tig “ » 8 
Τί γὰρ οὐ τῶν ἐμών λαβοῦσα ἔχεις ; οὐ 

PEGs ᾽ 92.59 , : ἀι- τὰ r 
σῦκα ; οὐ τυρὸν εκ TaAapwy ; οὐκ ἀλεκτορίδων 

΄“ a ΕῚ 4 4 , , 
ζεῦγος; ov τὰ λοιπὰ τρυφήματα πάντα 
4 > 9 a. ΠῚ “ 5 Pr. A 
ἔστι σοι e€ ἐμοῦ; οὕτως ὅλον με αὐτὴ κατὰ 

\ , > / / > 
τὴν παροιμίαν ἀνατρέψασα δουλεύειν ἀπη- 
, \ \ 3 , ᾽ + 3 “ 
νάγκασας. Σὺ δὲ οὐδεμίαν wpay ἔχεις ἐμοῦ 

~ , \ - 4 + 

diaxaws prAeyouevov. ᾿Αλλὰ χαῖρε καὶ ἄπιθι: 
° \ A 4 ’ \ 4 \ “ ‘ 
ἐγὼ δὲ οἴσω βαρέως μὲν, οἴσω δὲ ὅμως τὴν 


> , 
ατιμίαν. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON  4I 


XXVITI. 
ANICETUS TO PHOEBIANE. 


You avoid me now, Phoebiane; you 
avoid me, although you have just lately 
robbed me of all my property. What is 
there of mine that you have not had? 
Figs, fresh cheeses in baskets, a pair 
of fowls, not to mention all the other 
dainties ? Thus, after having, in the 
words of the proverb, completely ruined 
me, you have forced me to become 
your slave. And yet you pay no heed 
to my burning love? Farewell: leave 
me. I will endure your treatment with 
sorrow, but yet with firmness. 


6—-2 


42 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


XXVITI. 
Φοιβιανὴ ᾿Ανικήτῳ. 


9 ’ ’ 3 , Ψ ε ε ‘ ε 
Ὠδίνουσά με ἀρτίως ἥκειν ὡς ἑαυτὴν ἡ 
“- r ’ , 4A ~ 
TOU γείτονος μετέπεμψψατο γυνή; καὶ δῆτα 
w+ , A Ἁ Α ’ ‘ 4 
ἤειν ἀραμένη τὰ πρὸς τὴν τέχνην. Σὺ δὲ 
> , > ‘ 9 “~ ‘ ’ 
ἐξαπιναίως ἀναστὰς εἐπειρῶώ τὴν depny 
9 , cal 5 ’ , 
ἀνακλάσας Kura. Ov παύσῃ τρικόρωνον 
4 , , ” A 9 3 
καὶ ταλάντατον γερόντιον πειρῶν Tas ed 
e , ᾿] ~ e | A + , 
ἡλικίας ἀνθοῦσας ἡμᾶς ὥς τις ἄρτι νεάζειν 
᾽ , : 2 4 a 38 Pak \ , 
ἀρχόμενος; οὐχὶ τῶν κατ᾽ ἀγρὸν πόνων 
» A 9 Ἁ ~ car ’ 
ἀφεῖσαι, ἀεργὸς τῶν ἰδίων προϊστάμενος ; 
ϑνΑ 9 , A ~ 5 ε 9 , 
οὐχὶ τοὐπτανείου καὶ τῆς ἐσχάρας ὡς ἀδύ- 
nN 347 : a 5 δ , 
vaTos ὧν ἐξέωσαι; πώς οὖν τακερὸν βλέπεις 
, A 9 - , ’ 
βλέμμα καὶ ἀναπνεῖς; Ileravco Kexpoyy 


” on , A \ my , 
ἄθλιε, καὶ τρεπου κατὰ σεαυτὸν, ὦ πρεσβυ. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 42 


XXVIII. 
PHOEBIANE TO ANICETUS. 


A NEIGHBOUR, who was in labour, just 
now sent for me, and I was on the way 
to her with the necessary appliances, when 
you suddenly came upon me, violently 
held back my neck, and wanted to kiss 
me. You decrepit and wretched old 
man, will you never leave off persecuting 
with your overtures, as if you were a 
young man, us girls who are in the 
prime of life? Have you not been obliged 
to give up your work in the fields, since 
you are unable to look after your own 
affairs? Have you not been driven from 
the kitchen and the hearth as incom- 
petent? What then is the use of these 
tender glances, these long-drawn sighs? 
Stop it, you miserable Cecrops, and mind 
your own business. 


43  AAKI®@PONOS PHTOPOS 


XXIX. 
Γλυκέρα Βακχίδι. 


ε , - 4 A ~ , 
O Μένανδρος ἡμῖν ἐπὶ τὴν τῶν ᾿Ισθμίων 
’ be] 4 , A ’;; 
θέαν εἰς τὴν Κόρινθον ἐλθεῖν βεβούληται. 
"E A A ᾿Ὶ 4 ~ a 4 a? 4, 
μοὶ μὲν οὐ κατὰ νοῦν" οἶδας yap οἷόν ἐστιν 
’ “- ’ὔ 4 \ e ~ , 
ἐραστοῦ τοιούτου καὶ βραχὺν ὑστερῆσαι xpo- 
° , 4 A 7, A ‘ , 
νον, ἀποτρέπειν δὲ οὐκ ἐνῆν μὴ πολλακις 
+) - oe Ἁ 
ἀποδημεῖν εἰωθότα. Οὐδ᾽ ὅπως αὐτὸν παρεγ- 
, , 3 , +x 59 of 
γυήσω μελλονταὰα ἐπιδημήσειν ἔχω, οὐδ᾽ ὅπως 
Ἁ ’ ν ἢ Ἁ - ε Ἁ ΄ 
μὴ, βουλόμενον αὐτὸν σπουδασθῆναι ὑπὸ σοῦ, 
9 , , , lo , 
κἀμοί τινα φέρει φιλοτιμίαν, τοῦτο λογίζο- 
> 4 A a € oa ς , ἃ 
μαι, οἷδα yap τὴν οὖσαν ἡμῖν ἑταιρίαν πρὸς 
“ , A > , ‘ 
ἀλλήλας. Δέδοικα de, ὦ φιλτατη, οὐ σὲ 
a , A ᾿᾿ ’ 
τοσοῦτον (χρηστοτέρῳ yap ἤθει κέχρησαι 
- , δ“ a. NX 9 κ Ψ ‘ 
τοῦ βίου), ὅσον αὐτὸν ἐκεῖνον. "Epwrixos 


9 , 4 , 
yap ἐστι δαιμονίως καὶ Baxxidos οὐδ᾽ dy 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON . 43 


XXIX. 
GLYCERA TO BACCHIS. 


MENANDER has made up his mind 
to make a journey to Corinth, to see the 
Isthmian games. I do not at all approve 
of this idea. You know what it is to be 
deprived of the company of a lover such 
as he is, even for a little while; but I 
had no right to try and dissuade him, 
since he is hardly ever absent. He in- 
tends to stay in your town: I don’t know 
whether I ought to intrust him to your 
care or not; for I know that he is 
anxious to win your friendship, and this 
certainly makes me somewhat jealous. I 
am aware of our mutual friendship, but 
I am afraid, my dear, not so much of 
you—for I know that your character is 
more honourable than your manner of 
life—as of Menander. He is terribly 
amorous, and, besides, even the gloomiest 


44  AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


~ , 4 >] , A 4 
τῶν σκυθρωποτάτων Tis ἀπόσχοιτο. To μὲν 
4 a , 4 » + Lal A ’ 
yap δοκεῖν αὐτὸν οὐκ ἔλαττον τοῦ σοὶ ἐντυ- 
- «ἢ la 5 "4 vd A 5 
χεῖν ἢ τῶν ᾿Ισθμίων ἕνεκεν τὴν ἀποδημίαν 
~ ΕῚ , ij + ° 
πεποιῆσθαι, ov πανυ πείθομαι. ἴσως at- 
, ~ « [ , 4 .“ 
τιασῃ me τῆς ὑποψίας. Συγγίνωσκε δὲ ταῖς 
“΄“ 9 , ’ Α 
ἑταιρικαῖς, ὦ φιλτάτη, ζηλοτυπίαις. ᾿Εγὼ 
4 " ‘ A an , 
δε οὐ Tapa μικρὸν ἡγοῦμαι Mevavdpov δια- 
a Ε] nw + 5᾽ 
μαρτεῖν ἐραστοῦ. Λλλως τε κἄν μοι κνισ- 
, A , 4 s\ A , 
μὸς τις πρὸς αὐτὸν ἢ διαφορα γένηται, 
έν | ~ ~ A 
δεήσει me ἐπὶ τῆς σκηνῆς ὑπο Xpeunros 
I f “~ a“ 4 
twos ἢ Διφίλου πικρῶς λοιδορεῖσθαι. "Kav 
νυ; , “ + A , , 
de ἐπανελθῃ μοι, οἷος ᾧχετο, πολλὴν εἴσομαί 


σοι χάρι. "Ἑῤῥωσο. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON (44 


of men would not be proof against the 
charms of Bacchis. I do not feel at all 
sure that he is not taking this journey 
rather for the sake of making your ac- 
quaintance than for the Olympian games. 
Perhaps you will think me suspicious. My 
dear friend, you must pardon the jealousy 
which is so natural to us girls. It is 
no trifle for me to lose a lover like 
Menander; especially as, if any irritation 
or quarrel should arise between us, I 
should be obliged to put up with the 
railleries and insults of a Chremes or 
Diphilus on the stage. I shall be ex- 
tremely grateful to you, if he should 
return to me as he started. Farewell. 


45 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


XXX. 
Βακχὶς ὝὙ περίδῃ. 


~ , », ς e - , 4 
Tlacai σοι ἴσμεν αἱ ἑταῖραι χάριν, καὶ 
exe Fhe: ? Ὁ a , ε ‘ 
ἑκαστὴ γε ἡμῶν οὐχ ἧττον ἢ Ppvyy ὁ μεν 
A ° A , , εἴ e ’ 
γὰρ ἀγὼν μόνος Φρύνης, ὃν ὁ παμπόνηρος 
>) , 9 , ε A ’ « ΄-“ 
Ev@ias ἐπανείλετο, 0 δὲ κίνδυνος ἁπασῶν. 
. ‘ , ~ 4A A ΕῚ ΄“ ᾿] , 
Et yap αἰτοῦσαι παρὰ τῶν ἐραστῶν ἀργύ- 
" , a “- »“»" 5 
ριον οὐ τυγχάνομεν, ἢ τοῖς διδοῦσιν ἐντυγ- 
, ° , , ~ 
χάνουσαι ἀσεβείας κριθησόμεθα, πεπαῦσθαι 
an Pine “ , , \ , 
κρεῖττον ἡμῖν τοῦ βίου τούτου, καὶ μηκέτι 
ϑ,» ’ , “ ε A , 
ἔχειν πραγματα, μήτε τοῖς ὁμιλοῦσι παρέ- 
i - ᾽ +] ” Χ ς a 5) , 
xew. Nov δ᾽ οὐκ ἔτι τὸ ἑταιρεῖν αἰτιασό- 
“ bs Δ 9 ‘ ἂν 2 
μεθα, ὅτι πονηρὸς Εἰὐθίας ἐραστῆς εὑρέθη, 
“ ’ ‘ ς ’ , 
GAN’ ὅτι ἐπιεικὴς Ὕ περίδης, ζηλώσομεν. 


A ‘ ~ 
Πολλὰ τοίνυν ἀγαθὰ γένοιτό σοι τῆς φιλαν- 


ai nd 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 45 


XXX. 


BACCHIS TO HYPERIDES. 


ALL we girls are grateful to you: 
there is not one of us who is not as much 
obliged as Phryne. Certainly she alone 
was concerned in the dangerous action, 
which that vile Euthias brought against 
her, but the danger threatened us all 
alike. For, if we are to ask our lovers 
for presents in vain, or are to be accused 
of impiety if we bestow our favours upon 
generous clients, it will be better to 
give up our present mode of life, and to 
avoid exposing ourselves and others who 
consort with us to annoyances on our ac- 
count. But now we shall no longer be 
blamed on account of our profession, be- 
cause Euthias has shown himself a disloyal 
lover; but, since Hyperides is just and 
good, we shall continue it in the future 
with increased zest. May your humanity 


46 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOD 


, A A - 4 
Opwrias. Kai yap éraipay χρηστὴν σεαυτῳ 
, A Ε΄ »> .] , "5 , 
περιεποιήσω, καὶ ἡμᾶς ἀμειψγομένας σε ἀντ 
> , , 3 4 A 4 4 
ἐκείνης maperkevacas. Ἐπ de δὴ καὶ Tor 
λ , ὦ A « A ~ Φ , , 
oyov γράψαις τὸν ὑπερ τῆς Φρύνης, τότε 
nN e κι “ “ C2 - Ud , 
ἂν ὡς ἀληθῶς χρυσοῦν αἱ ἑταῖραί σε στήσαι- 


μεν, ὅπη ποτὲ βούλει τῆς “Ἑλλάδος. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 46 


meet with its due reward. You have 
gained a respectable mistress for your own 
benefit, and, in her person, you have 
saved us all; for which our gratitude 
is due to you. If you would only pub- 
lish the speech which you delivered 
on her behalf, then we girls promise to 
erect in your honour a golden statue, in 
whatever part of Greece you please. 


47 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


XXXI. 
Βακχὶς Φρύνῃ. 


Οὐ τοσοῦτόν σοι τοῦ κινδύνου συνηχθέσ- 
θην, ὦ φιλτάτη, ὅσον, ὅτι πονηροῦ μὲν 
ἀπηλλάγης ἐραστοῦ, χρηστὸν δὲ εὗρες Ὕπε- 
ρίδην, συνήσθην. Τὴν γὰρ δίκην σοι καὶ 

‘ 9 , , , , 
πρὸς εὐτυχίαν γεγονέναι νομίζω: διαβόητον 
γάρ σε οὐκ ἐν ταῖς ᾿Αθήναις μόνον, ἀλλὰ 
καὶ ἐν τῇ Ἑλλάδι ἁπάσῃ 6 ἀγὼν ἐκεῖνος 

, sm? A Ν ς A ’ 
πεποίηκεν. HuOias μὲν γὰρ ἱκανὴν τιμωρίαν 
δώσει τῆς σῆς ὁμιλίας στερούμενος: ὑπὸ γὰρ 
ὀργῆς μοι δοκεῖ κινηθεὶς διὰ τὴν ἔμφυτον 
ς , 3 ’ Ν ’ “- > ~ 
ἀμαθίαν ὑπεράραι TO μέτρον τῆς ἐρωτικῆς 

’ A a 9 -  α ~ 
ζηλοτυπίας. Kai νῦν ἐκεῖνον ἐρῶντα μᾶλλον 
εὖ ἴσθι ἢ ὙὝ περίδην. Ὃ μὲν γὰρ διὰ τὴν 


~ ’ , ~ , b] , 
τῆς συνηγορίας χάριν δῆλος ἐστι σπουδα- 


ον». δα δε δι δον “νων... « 


So oe 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 47 


XXXI. 
BACCHIS TO PHRYNE. 


THE sympathy which I felt for you in 
your hour of danger, my dearest friend, 
was not so great as is my present joy, now 
that you have got rid of a worthless lover 
and found an honest friend in Hyperides. 
It is my opinion that this suit has been 
very fortunate for you; for the trial has 
made your name famous, not only in 
Athens, but throughout the whole of 
Greece. Euthias will be sufficiently pun- 
ished by the loss of your favours. Owing 
to his natural stupidity, he appears to 
have gone beyond the limits of the 
jealousy of a lover in the excitement of 
his anger; be assured that he loves you 
at the present moment more than Hy- 
perides himself. The latter certainly 
wishes to be regarded with favour by 
you in return for having undertaken your 


48 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


, a2 ’ « A ~ 
ζεσθαι βουλόμενος καὶ ἐρώμενον ἑαυτὸν ποιῶν' 
ε A ater / “ ld , 
ὁ δὲ τῷ ἀποτεύγματι τῆς δίκης παρώξυνται. 
4 , “ 4 
IIpocdéxov δὴ παλιν δι᾽ αὐτοῦ δεήσεις καὶ 
ld ‘ A , 4 4 
λιτανείας καὶ πολὺ χρυσίον. Μὴ δὴ καταδιαι- 
, ea > , A e A 4 
THONS ἡμῶν, ὦ φιλτάτη, τῶν ἑταιρῶν: μὴ 
‘ e “ ’, “a 
δὲ Ὕ περίδην κακῶς δόξαι βεβουλεῦσθαι 
’ Ν sh? e , ’ 
ποιήσῃς, τὰς EvOiov ἱκεσίας προσιεμένη" 
A ‘ “ / ’ “ " 4 ‘ 
μὴ δὲ τοῖς λέγουσι σοι, OTL, εἰ μὴ TOV 
Ul e , ‘ ’ - 
χιτωνίσκον περιῤῥηξαμένη τὰ μαστάρια τοῖς 
- > 9 A , 
δικασταῖς ἀπέδειξας, οὐδὲν ὁ ῥήτωρ ὠφέλει, 
/ \ A " ‘ - Ψ Γ ΄ 
πείθου. Kai γὰρ αὑτὸ τοῦτο, ἵνα ἐν καιρῷ 


, ’ a: , , 
yevyTat σοι, ἡ EKELVOU παρέσχε συνηγορια. 


a ee ὦ.- “τ ἡ. — - 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 48 


defence, and to gain your affection; but 
the passion of the other has been only 
more violently whetted by the loss of his 
case. You may expect from him, then, 
fresh entreaties, supplications, and pre- 
sents in abundance; but, my dear girl, 
do not prejudice our cause, or, by listen- 
ing to the entreaties of Euthias, cause it 
to be thought that Hyperides has done 
wrong in taking our part. Neither believe 
those who tell you that the orator’s 
efforts would have been unavailing, unless 
you had rent your clothes and shown 
your bare breasts to the judges. Why, 
this very argument, so opportunely em- 
ployed, was the result of his exertions on 
your behalf. 


49 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


XXXII. 
Baxxis Muppivy. 


4 4 , wv ~ ~ 
My δὴ κρείττονος εἴη σοι τυχεῖν ἐραστοῦ, 
ἤ ’ 2 " , εἴ 
δέσποινα ᾿Αφροδίτη, ἀλλ EvOias σοι, ὃν 
a , , , 4 
νῦν περιέπεις, συγκαταβιώη. Tarawa γυνὴ 
“ ? , 4 = , θ , , Ἢ 
τῆς ἀνοίας, ἥτις τῷ τοιούτῳ θηρίῳ προσέφ 
‘ ” ἊΝ / ’ 
θαρσαι. Ἰίλὴν ἴσως τῷ κάλλει πεπίστευκας. 
, A e ‘ , La 
Φρύνην yap ὑπεριδὼν δηλονότι στέρξει Μυῤ- 
, ᾿] ’ A e , 
ῥίνην. ᾿Αλλ᾽ ἔοικας κνίσαι τὸν Ὑπερίδην 
co ς » ’; ~ f 
βεβουλῆσθαι ws ἔλαττόν σοι νῦν προσέχοντα. 
κ] -“ « “~ » ς , e ΄“ 4 4 
Κἀκεῖνος éraipay ἔχει ἀξίαν ἑαντοῦ, καὶ ov 
> , ra a ’ 3 
ἐραστήν σοι πρέπονταις Αἰτησόν τι παρ 
> “~ A + ‘ « 4 , 9 
αὑτοῦ, καὶ ὄψει σεαυτὴν ἢ τὰ νεώρια ἐμπε- 
- \ A ’ , w+ θ 
πρηκυῖαν, 7 τοὺς νόμους καταλύουσαν. ἼΪσθι 
“-- “ 4 7 € «a a ‘ 
γοῦν, ὅτι παρὰ πάσαις ἡμῖν ταῖς τὴν 
’ “ ’ὔ 
φιλανθρωποτέραν ᾿Αφροδίτην προτιμώσαις 


μεμίσησαι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 49 


XXXII. 
BAccCHIS TO MYRRHINE. 


No, so help me, Venus, may you never 
find a better lover! may you spend all 
your life with Euthias, with whom you 
are so infatuated! Unhappy woman! 
how foolish you are to attach yourself 
to a monster like that, merely because of 
your confidence in your beauty! Of course 
he will despise Phryne and love Myrrhine. 
No doubt your object was to irritate 
Hyperides, who at this moment treats 
you with neglect. He in truth possesses 
a mistress who is worthy of him; and 
you have a lover who is admirably suited 
to you. But only ask him for a present : 
you will soon see if he does not accuse 
you of having tried to set fire to the dock- 
yards or of having broken the laws. To 
tell the truth, you have made yourself 
hateful to all of us, who have regard for 
a more honourable attachment. 


7—2 


50 AAKI®PONOZX PHTOPOZ 


XXXITI. 
Oats Θεττάλῃ. 


9 + es! ᾽ , , 
Οὐκ ἄν ποτ᾽ φήθην ἐκ τοσαύτης συνηθείας 
" 4 A +27 , 
ἔσεσθαί μοι τινὰ πρὸς Εὐξίππην διαφοράν. 
A A A + > oe 5. - Ὁ , , 
Kat τὰ μὲν ἄλλα, ἐν οἷς αὐτῇ χρησίμη γέ- 
ς \ ‘ ° " “σι / , 
yova ὑπὸ τὸν ἀπὸ τῆς Σάμου κατάπλουν, 
’ Ν , , 
οὐκ overditw. ᾿Αλλα Παμφίλου, γινώσκεις 
΄σ' A A “ ¢ - , % , 
τοῦτο Kal σὺ ὅσον, ἡμῖν διδόντος ἀργύριον, 
o , 19 , "597 κ , 
OTL ταύτῃ ποτε ἐντυγχάνειν ἐδόκει TO mELpa- 
, A ~ ~ ° 
κιον, ov προσιέμην. ᾿Αλλὰ καλῶς ἡμᾶς ἀντὶ 
, 9 ’ = , ? , 
τούτων ἠμείψατο, TH κακιστα ἀπολουμένῃ 
, ’ ’ \ 3 , 
Meyapa χαρίζεσθαι θέλουσα: πρὸς ἐκείνην 
=> U Ἀ ‘4 / 
δ᾽ ἣν τις παλαιὰ μοι διὰ Στράτωνα ὑπόνοια. 
A A A a+ + , 
᾿Αλλὰ ταύτην μὲν οὐδὲν ᾧμην ποιεῖν παρά- 
~ Lj , ε A > 
λογον κακῶς λέγουσαν pe. ᾿Αλῶα δ᾽ ἦν, 
So ‘ , las “ > 7 4 
κἀπὶ THY παννυχίδα πᾶσαι, ὥσπερ ἣν ELKOS, 


παρ᾽ ἡμῖν. ᾿Εθαύμαζον δὲ τῆς Εὐξίππης: 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 50 


XXXIII. 
THAIS TO THESSALE. 


I SHOULD never have believed that, 
after so long an intimacy with Euxippe, 
I should quarrel with her. I do not re- 
proach her with the many services I 
have rendered her since she arrived here 
from Samos. You know what a hand- 
some present Pamphilus offered me; but 
I refused to have anything to do with 
him, because I knew that he had already 
become acquainted with her. By way 
of rewarding my kindness handsomely, 
she is endeavouring to curry favour with 
that accursed woman Megara, of whom I 
have long had my suspicions, on account 
of Straton. So there is nothing astonish- 
ing in her speaking ill of me. It was 
the festival of Ceres, and we were all 
assembled according to custom at my 
house, to spend the night. I was sur- 


51 AAKI®PONOZ ῬΗΤΌΡΟΣ 


A 4 4 ΄“- , 5 9 v 
TO μὲν γὰρ πρῶτον, κιχλίζουσα μετ᾽ ἐκείνης 
, Ἁ , > £ 
καὶ μωκωμένη, THY δυσμένειαν ἐνεδείκυτο, 
> a , > 5 Ἁ 3 ἘΔῺ 
εἶτα φανερῶς ποιήματα ἦδεν εἰς τὸν οὐκ ἔθ 
ς - , ’ , ? 4 , 
ἡμῖν προσέχοντα ἐραστήν. Kami τούτοις 
\ ay x ° , ‘ ° 
μὲν ἧττον ἤλγουν' ἀπαναισχυντήσασα de εἰς 
‘ A A Ἁ ld 5, 
τὸ φῦκός με καὶ τὸν παιδέρωτα ἔσκωπτεν. 
b , , U “A , ς 4 
Ἐδόκει δέ μοι πανυ κακῶς πραττειν, ws μηδὲ 
Ud an “ A > e A 
κάτοπτρον κεκτῆσθαι. Ki yap οἷδεν ἑαυτὴν 
“ , av 9 a Caer =) 9 
χρῶμα cavdapaxys ἔχουσαν, οὐκ ἂν ἡμᾶς εἰς 
° ’ , x ‘ > a 
ἀμορφίαν ἐβλασφήμει. ᾿Ἐμοὶ μὲν οὖν βραχὺ 
, A , “ , A r Ε] 
μέλει περὶ τούτων, ἀρέσκειν γὰρ τοῖς ἐρα- 
a A ᾿ , A 54} , 
σταῖς, οὐχὶ Meyapa καὶ Evéirry βούλομαι 
a 4 e 
ταῖς πιθήκοις. Δεδήλωκα δὲ σοι, Wa μή μ᾽ 
4 “. A 4 
ἔτι μέμψῃ. ᾿Αμυνοῦμαι yap αὐτὰς οὐκ ἐν 
, ᾿ is , 9 χὰ 
σκώμμασιν, οὐδ᾽ ἐν βλασφημίαις, αλλ᾽ ἐν οἷς 
, ° , “ ‘ 4 
μάλιστα. avacovra.  Ipocxwe de τὴν 


Νέμεσιν. 





΄. oe a ne ee 








LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON κι 


prised at Euxippe’s behaviour. At first, 
she kept on giggling with Megara, and, by 
mocking and mimicking me, showed her 
spitefulness; then she began to sing aloud 
some verses, containing allusions to a 
lover who had forsaken me. I did not 
mind this so much. But, at last, she 
lost all decency, and ridiculed my dye 
and rouge. She seems badly off herself: 
I don’t believe she even possesses a 
mirror. For, if she saw how like yellow 
ochre her complexion was, she would not 
abuse me for being ugly. However, I care 
very little about this. I want to please 
my lovers, not monkeys like Megara or 
Euxippe. I have told you this, that you 
may not blame me afterwards; for, one 
day, I will revenge myself upon them, 
not with raillery or insult, but in such 
a manner as to make them feel it. I 
worship the goddess Nemesis. 


52 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


XXXIV. 
Bais Εὐθύδηήμῳ. 


"KE οὗ φιλοσοφεῖν ἐπενόησας, σεμνὸς τις 
9 , A 4 9 ΄“ ε A A , 
eyevov, Kal Tas oppus ὑπερ τοὺς KpoTadous 
ἐπῆρα. Kira σχῆμα ἔχων καὶ βιβλίδιον 

᾿ Ἔ > PRC ’ a \ 
μετὰ χεῖρας εἰς τὴν ᾿Ακαδημίαν σοβεῖς, τὴν 
\ e , ely e 29 ΚΕ, ’ 
δε ἡμετέραν οἰκίαν ὡς οὐδὲ ἰδὼν πρότερον 
παρέρχῃ. ’Euavys, EvOudnue ; οὐκ οἶδας, οἷός 
> ε \ δ᾿ τὰ A 4 
ἐστιν ὁ σοφιστὴς οὗτος ὁ ἐσκυθρωπακὼς καὶ 

A A ’ ‘ ‘ e [οὶ 
τοὺς θαυμαστοὺς τούτους διεξιὼν πρὸς ὑμᾶς 
λόγους; ᾿Αλλ᾽ ἐμοὶ μὲν πράγματα, πόσος 
> 4 ” , ᾽ > , , 
ἐστὶν οἴει χρόνος, ἐξ ot παρέχει βουλόμενος 
ἐντυχεῖν. ἹἸΠροσφθείρεται δὲ ρπυλλίδι τῇ 
Μεγάρας ἅβρᾳ. Tore μὲν οὖν αὐτὸν οὐ 
προσίεμην, σὲ γὰρ περιβάλλουσα κοιμᾶσθαι 
μᾶλλον ἐβουλόμην, ἢ τὸ παρὰ πάντων σο- 


“A , 3 ‘ , ° , 
φιστῶν χρυσίον. Emer δὲ σε ἀποτρέπειν 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON “52 


a 


XXXIV. 
THAIS TO EUTHYDEMUS. 


SINCE you have taken it into your 
head to study philosophy, you have be- 
come serious, and raise your eyebrows 
above your forehead. Then, assuming the 
philosopher’s air, with a book in your 
hand, you strut proudly towards the 
Academy, passing by my house, as if 
you had never seen it before. Are you 
mad, Euthydemus? Don’t you know 
what sort of man that scowling sophist 
is, who has so excited your admiration 
by his discourses? You don’t know how 
long he has been pestering me, in order 
to gain my favours. He is also mad 
after Herpyllis, Megara’s pet maid. At 
that time, I refused to receive him, for 
I preferred your kisses and embraces to 
all the gold of philosophers. But, since 
he seems to be the cause of your keeping 


53 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOE 


4 “A > cc “a , e , 
ἔοικε τῆς μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν συνηθείας, ὑποδέξομαι 
Ἁ A Ἁ , A 
αὐτὸν" Kat εἰ βούλει, τὸν διδάσκαλον τουτονὶ 
5] he ᾽ ’ x > 
TOV μισογύναιον ἐπιδείξω σοι νυκτὸς οὐκ 
" , » , ε A ~ 
ἀρκούμενον ταῖς συνήθεσιν ἡδοναῖς. Λῆρος 
“ 94% A , ‘ J  Ψ 
ταῦτα εἰσὶ καὶ τύφος καὶ ἐργολαβεια μειρα- 
ee ne Ee a ” 4 , 
κίων, ὦ ἀνόητε. Ole δὲ διαφέρειν ἑταίρας 
Per. ~ + 6 3 Α “ 
σοφιστήν; τοσοῦτον ἴσως, ὅσον οὐ διὰ τῶν 
Ψ ΥὖἐἋ « : , 4 9 \ @ ° 
αὐτῶν εκάτεροι πείθουσιν: ἐπεὶ ἕν γε ἀμφο- 
’ ’ , A - , 
τέροις τέλος πρόκειται τὸ λαβεῖν. ἸΠόσῳ 
ἀκὴν τὰ τῶν en 4 δ , ἢ 
δὲ ἀμείνους ἡμεῖς καὶ εὐσεβέστεραι; Οὐ 
4 r 3 Ν , 
λέγομεν θεοὺς οὐκ εἶναι, ἀλλὰ πιστεύομεν 
3 , - 93 ΄ “ “A ς nr 
ομνύουσι τοῖς ἐρασταῖς, ὅτι φιλοῦσιν ἡμᾶς. 
" " “" ς . 4 , ’ 
Οὐδ᾽ ἀξιοῦμεν ἀδελφαῖς καὶ μητράσι μίγ- 
\ 4 " x at 4 ° 
νυσθαι τοὺς ἄνδρας, ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ γυναιξὶν ἀλλο- 
, 9 Ἁ oe A , , ΓῚ 
τρίαις. Ke μὴ, ὅτι τὰς νεφέλας ὁπόθεν εἶεν, 
A A 3 , e ~ ] nn %: ἴω 
καὶ τὰς ἀτόμους ὁποῖαι, ἀγνοοῦμεν, διὰ τοῦτο 


~ , “~ ~ 4 
ἥττους δοκοῦμέν σοι τῶν σοφιστῶν. Kai 


ΓΝ A , bd , 4 - 
αὐτὴ παρα τούτοις exxoAaka καὶ πολλοῖς. 


διείλεγμαι. Οὐδεὶς ἑταίραις ὁμιλῶν τυραννί- 


b] “ Α , Σ Α ’ 
δας ὀνειροπολεῖ Kal στασιάζει τὰ ΚκΚοινα' 











LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 53 


away from me, I will receive him; and, 
if you like, I will prove to you that this 
wonderful teacher, this woman-hater, is 


not satisfied with ordinary enjoyments 


during the night. You foolish young 
man, all this display is simple nonsense, 
mere artifice, a trap to fleece young men. 
Do you think there is much difference 
between a sophist and a woman? The 
only difference is in their ways of per- 
suasion; the object of their efforts is the 


'same—to get money. Indeed, our prin- 


ciples are far better and more religious 
than theirs: we do not deny the exist- 
ence of the gods, but we believe our 
lovers, when they swear that they adore 
us. We also prevent men from com- 
mitting incest and adultery. Only, be- 
cause we are ignorant of the origin of 
the clouds and the theory of atoms, you 
consider us to be inferior to the sophists. 
I myself have attended their lectures, 
and have conversed with several of them. 
The truth is, that none of those who 
frequent the company of women trouble 
themselves with idle dreams of upsetting 


54 ΔΛΚΊΦΡΟΝΟΣ PHTOPOD — 


" 4 ’ A ‘ 4 A 
ἀλλὰ σπάσας τὸν ἑωθινὸν καὶ μεθυσθεὶς, εἰς 
Ὁ , «ἵ , Ε] “- , 
ὥραν τρίτην ἢ τετάρτην ἠρεμεῖ. Lladev- 
‘ " -“ ε a ‘ , 9 ‘ 
omev δὲ οὐ χεῖρον ἡμεῖς Tous νέους. ᾿Επεὶ 
, " , 5 rf ‘ ¢ ΄ 
σύγκρινον, εἰ βούλει, ᾿Ασπασίαν τὴν ἑταῖραν, 
A , ‘ Ἁ A , 
kat Σωκρατὴν τὸν σοφιστήν, καὶ πότερος 
ἜΝ 7 κι ᾽ , ” , 
ἄμεινον αὐτῶν ἐπαίδευσεν ἄνδρας, λόγισαι: 
lan 4 ‘ a4 4 , ΄- 
τῆς μὲν γὰρ ὄψει μαθητὴν Τ]ερικλέα, τοῦ 
A , ’ A ’ 
δὲ Κριτίαν. Καταβαλε τὴν μωρίαν ταύτην 
Α 5 , e 9 ‘ 3, 
καὶ ἀηδίαν, ὁ ἐμὸς ἔρως, Εὐθύδημε (οὐ 
“ 9 ¥ 4 
πρέπει σκυθρωποῖς εἶναι τοιούτοις ὄμμασι), 
\ ‘ 4 > , a ‘ ¢ A > 
καὶ πρὸς τὴν ἐρωμένην ἧκε τὴν ἑαυτοῦ, οἷος 
5" A “ Ἁ , , Ἁ “΄“ 
ἐπανελθὼν ἀπὸ Λυκείου πολλάκις τὸν ἱδρῶ- 
° , “ Ν , 
Ta ἀποψώμενος, ἵνα μικρὰ κραιπαλήσαντες 
9 , 95 Ἁ A ~ 
ἐπιδειξώμεθα ἀλλήλοις TO καλὸν τελος τῆς 
“Ἐ 4 A “ , , - 
ἡδονῆς. Kat σοὶ νῦν μαλιστα ye φανοῦμαι 
3 A £ ’ , 
σοφή. Ov μακρὸν δίδωσιν ὁ δαίμων χρόνον 
΄ 4 , “.- ΕῚ Oe 4 
τοῦ ζην: μὴ λάθῃς τοῦτον εἰς αἰνίγματα καὶ 


λήρους ἀναλώσας. "Ἑῤῥωσο. 


Ὁ’ ΟΡ 1 


4s ON ae 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 54 


the state and seizing the supreme au- 
thority : they drink all the morning, get 
frightfully drunk, and then sleep it off 
till nine or ten o’clock. Again, we 
educate young men quite as well as they 
do. Compare, if you like, Aspasia the 
courtesan and the famous sophist So- 
crates; and consider which of them pro- 
duced the best citizens. You will find 
that Pericles was the pupil of the former, 
Critias of the latter. Abandon this folly, 
shake off your disagreeable looks, my 
darling Euthydemus: your beautiful eyes 
were never intended to be scowling; re- 
turn to your lady-love the same as when 
you used to visit her on the way from 
the Lyceum, wiping off the perspiration. 
Let us drink moderately, and prove to 
each other that pleasure is the aim of 
life. Then you will confess how learned 
I am! _ Besides, the Deity only allows 
us a short time to live; do not waste it 
foolishly in trying to solve riddles. Fare- 
well. 


55 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOX 


XXXYV. 
Σιμαλίων Πετάλῃ.. 


‘ 4 , 
Ei μὲν ἡδονὴν col τινα φέρειν ἢ φιλοτὶ- 
“ , a , ΕΣ Ν 
μίαν πρός τινας τῶν διαλεγομένων οἴει τὸ 
’ ἘΣ A 4 
πολλάκις ἡμᾶς ἐπὶ τὰς θύρας φοιτᾶν, καὶ 
P bes , A ‘ 3 
τοῖς πεμπομένοις πρὸς τοὺς εὐτυχεστέρους 
“a ’ 9 , 
ἡμῶν θεραπαινιδίοις ἀποδύρεσθαι, οὐκ ἀλόγως 
δι, δον a , Ud a 
ἡμῖν evtpvpas. Ϊσθι μέν τοι (καί τοι ποιῶν 
a ra ᾿] , ’ “yy ad 
οἶδα πρᾶγμα ἀσύμφορον ἐμαυτῷ), οὕτω με 
, ¢ > 7 “ 9 ’ 
διακείμενον ὡς ὀλίγοι τῶν ἐντυγχανόντων σοι 
~ ° , - , 
νῦν ἀμεληθέντες ἂν διατεθεῖεν. Kai τοι ye 
4 ‘ + 4 0 , , 
ᾧμην τὸν ἄκρατον ἔσεσθαί μοι παρηγόρημα, 
> , , 
ov παρ᾽ Βὐφρονίῳ τρίτην ἑσπέραν πολύν 
9 , « A ἈΝ 4, κ ’ 
τινα ἐνεφορησαμῆν, ὡς δὴ τὰς παρὰ τὴν νύκτα 
“ , \ ‘ 3 3 r 
φροντίδας διωσόμενος TO δὲ ἄρα ἐναντίως 
, , 3 ’ 
ἔσχεν. ᾿Ανεῤῥίπισε γὰρ μου τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν, 


, 4 , 9 a 
ὥστε κλαίοντά με καὶ βρυχώμενον ἐλεεῖσθαι 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 55 


XXXV. 
SIMALION TO PETALE. 


ΙΕ you think it is any satisfaction to 
you or that it adds to the gratification 
of your clients, to make me come re- 
peatedly to your door and complain to 
your servants who are sent to more 
fortunate suitors, I cannot say you are 
wrong in treating me thus contemptu- 
ously. I know that my efforts are un- 
availing; but be assured that few of 
your favoured lovers would be so deeply 
affected by the loss of your affection as 
Iam. I flattered myself that the quantity 
of wine I drank yesterday at Euphemius’s 
would afford me some consolation, and 
help me to drive away my nightly cares; 
but it had just the contrary effect. It 
only fanned more violently the flame of my 
passion: I wept, I sobbed loudly, so that 
the better disposed of those around me 


56 AAKI®@PONOY PHTOPOZ 


4 4 “- " ’ t ‘ 
μὲν παρὰ τοῖς ἐπιεικεστέροις, γέλωτα δὲ 
τοῖς ἄλλοις παρέχει. Μικρὰ δὲ ἔπεστί μοι 

A 4A , ΕΣ , 
παραψυχὴ Kat μαραινόμενον ἤδη παραμύθιον, 
“ ¢ ‘ 4 ‘ ων ’ , 

ὅ μοι ὑπὸ THY λυπρὰν τῷ συμποσίῳ μέμψιν 
, e 9 5 ? ~ , “ 
προσέῤῥιψρας am’ αὑτῶν περισπάσασα τῶν 
, e A ~ “~ e φι. 4 “~ - 
πλοκάμων, WS μὴ πᾶσι τοῖς ὑφ᾽ ἡμῶν πεμφθεῖ- 
σιν ἀχθομένη. Ei δή σοι ταῦτα ἡδονὴν φέρει, 
° ’ ~ € / ld A ον 
ἀπόλαυε τῆς ἡμετέρας μερίμνης. κἀν ἢ σοι 

, “- - “- A , 
φίλον, διηγοῦ τοῖς νῦν μὲν μακαριωτέροις 
cn Ἵ 9 A A a [2 ς - 39, 
ἡμῶν, οὐκ εἰς μακρὰν δε, ἂν ὥσπερ ἡμεῖς ἔχω- 

4 , A , , 
σιν, ἀνιασομένοι. Εὔχου μέν τοι μηδέν σοι 
νεμεσῆσαι ταύτης τῆς ὑπεροψείας τὴν ᾿Αφρο- 
δίτην. Ἕτερος ἂν λοιδορούμενος ἔγραφε καὶ 
ἀπειλῶν: GAN ἐγὼ δεόμενος καὶ ἀντιβολῶν, 
ἐρῶ γὰρ, ὦ Ilerady, κακῶς. Φοβοῦμαι δὲ 

A U + , , “~ A ‘ 
μὴ κάκιον ἔχων μιμήσομαί τινα τῶν περὶ τὰς 


’ ἈΝ ’ὔ ° , 
ἐρωτικὰς μέμψεις ατυχεστέρων. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 56 


were moved to pity, while the rest 
laughed at me. There still remains for 
me a slight alleviation of my sorrow, 
a poor consolation, which, however, is 
now withering away and fading. I mean 
the flower which you plucked from your 
head when we quarrelled at supper, and 
threw at me, to show that you were not 
offended with everything I had sent you. 
But, if it amuses you, enjoy my grief; 
if it please you, tell the story of it to 
those who are now more fortunate than 
myself; it will perhaps soon be their turn 
to grieve, when they meet with similar 
treatment. However, pray to Venus that 
she be not angry with you for your pride. 
Another would have written a letter to 
you full of insults and threats: I prefer 
to address you with prayers and suppli- 
cations, for I am desperately in love 
with you. Alas! in the excess of my 
grief, I am afraid of imitating those un- 
fortunate lovers whose complaints only 
serve to increase their misfortune. 


57 ΑΛΚΊΦΡΟΝΟΣ PHTOPOZ 


XXXVI. 


Πετάλη Σιμαλίωνι. 


‘ ‘ , , , 
"HBovAcuny μὲν ὑπὸ δακρύων ἑταίρας τρέ- 
δὼ Ἅ δ A 
φεσθαι οἰκία. Λαμπρῶς γὰρ ἂν ἔπραττον 
° / , ° , 4 “ἢ a“ 
ἀφθόνων τούτων ἀπολαύουσα Tapa cov νῦν 
δὲ δ “ ’ e a e ’ ’ a) 
€ δεῖ χρυσίου ἡμῖν, ἱματίων, κόσμου, θεραπαι- 
« “. r f ’ “ 
νίδω. “H τοῦ βίου διοίκησις ἅπασα ἐντεῦ- 
9 ‘+S 5" 5 “- “ ᾽ 4 
θεν. Οὐκ ἔστιν ev Μυῤῥινοῦντι πατρῷον ἐμοὶ 
, 9.) 3 jth , ὁ 4 , 
κτημάτιον, οὐδ᾽ ἐν τοῖς ἀργυρίοις ἐμοὶ μέταλ- 
‘ , κ x : 
λον, ἀλλὰ μισθωματια καὶ αἱ δυστυχεῖς αὗται 
A 7, “~ ο > ~ 
Kal κατεστεναγμέναι τῶν ἀνοήτων ἐραστῶν 
, A \ 3 ‘ 9 ’ ς 
χάριτες. Σοὶ δὲ ἐνιαυτὸν ἐντυγχανουσα ἀδη- 
ca 8 ᾽ ‘ ‘ + ‘ ‘ 
μονῶ, καὶ αὐχμήραν μὲν ἔχω τήν κεφαλῆν, 
A sat Ν , “ , Ν A 
μηδὲ ἰδὼν τὸν χρόνον τοῦτον μύρον: τὰ δὲ 
-»"Ἥ A , , 
ἀρχαῖα Kat τρύχινα περιβαλλομένη Tapar- 
, bd , τ , : ς 
τινίδια αἰσχύνομαι τὰς φίλας. Οὕτως ἀγα- 


, , “»" ΝΜ , 
θόν τι μοι γένοιτο. Εἶτα ote μέ σοι 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 57 


XXXVI. 
PETALE TO SIMALION. 


How I wish that a woman’s house 
could be supported on tears! I should live 
right royally, for I know you would keep 
me abundantly supplied with them; but, 
as it is, unfortunately we want money, 
clothes, ornaments, and servants. Our 
arrangements depend entirely upon this. 
I have no patrimony at Myrrhinus, no 
share in the silver mines; I depend upon 
the little presents I receive, and the 
favours of foolish lovers, wrung only 
from them with many sighs and tears. I 
have known you now for more than a 
year, and I am no better for it. My 
hair is in disorder; it has not seen any 
oil all this time. I have only got one 
Tarentine tunic, so old and torn that I 
am perfectly ashamed to be seen in it by 
my friends. I hope I may have better 

8—2 


58 AAKI®PONOX PHTOPOZ 


παρακαθημένην ποθὲν ζήσειν ; ᾿Αλλὰ δακρύεις: 
, A , 9 \ A ΠῚ , ε 
πεπαύσῃ μετὰ μικρόν. ᾿Εγὼ δὲ ἂν μή τις ὁ 
διδοὺς 7, πεινήσω τὸ καλόν. Θαυμάζω δέ 
A \ , « + ° ’ , 
σου καὶ Ta δάκρυα ws ἔστιν ἀπίθανα. Δέ- 
σποινα ᾿Αφροδίτη, φιλεῖς, ἄνθρωπε, φιλεῖς, 
καὶ βούλει σοι τὴν ἐρωμένην διαλέγεσθαι, 
ὡς κ᾿ ἜΝ ἘΠῚ \ , , γα 
Civ yap χωρὶς ἐκείνης μὴ δύνασθαι. Τί odv; 
° , ° A ead) a τῷ 4 
οὐ ποτήρια ἐστὶν ἐπὶ τῆς οἰκίας ὑμῖν, μὴ 
χρυσία τῆς μητρὸς, μὴ δάνεια τοῦ πατρὸς 
ὦ / ’ , ’ , 
κομιουμένοις ; Μακαρία Φιλότης, εὐμενεστέροις 
Κ᾽ > >’ 7, ε ’ an 9 A 
ὄμμασιν εἶδον ἐκείνην αἱ Χαριτες, οἷον ἐραστὴν 
ἔχει Μενεκλείδην, ὃς καθ᾽ ἡμέραν δίδωσί τι: 
ἄμεινον γὰρ » KAaew. ᾿Εγὼ δὲ ἡ τάλαινα 
θρηνῳδὸν, οὐκ ἐραστὴν ἔχω, στεφάνιά μοι καὶ 
Lad Ψ EY 4 ’ , \ U 
ῥόδα ὥσπερ ἀώρῳ ταῴφῳ πέμπει, καὶ KAGE 
δὶ ὅλης φησὶ τῆς νυκτός. "Kav φέρῃς τι, 
- ‘ , > κα ᾿ x ᾽ eon 
ἧκε μὴ κλαίων, εἰ δὲ μὴ, σεαυτὸν οὐχ ἡμᾶς 


se Ip 
ανιασεις. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 58 


luck! And do you think that, while I 
stick to you, I shall be able to find other 
resources? You weep; be sure that won’t 
last long. But I shall be finely hungry, 
unless I can find a lover to give me 
something. I wonder at your tears: how 
absurd they are! O lady Venus! You 
say, Simalion, that you are madly in 
love with a woman, and that you cannot 
live without her. Well, my friend, have 
you no valuable drinking-cups at home? 
has not your mother some jewellery? 
cannot you get some securities belonging 
to your father? Happy Philotis! the 
Graces have looked upon her with kindly 
eyes. What a lover she has in Mene- 
clides, who gives her something every 
day. That is better than tears. As for 
me, unhappy girl, I have no lover, but a 
hired mourner, who sends me nothing 
but roses and garlands, as if to decorate 
an early grave for me, and declares that 
he weeps all night. If you can give me 
anything, come and see me, but—no 
tears. Otherwise, keep your grief to 
yourself, and do not worry me. 


59 AAKI@PONOY PHTOPOZ 


XXXVII. 
Μυῤῥίνη Νικίππῃ. 


> ᾿ - , 
Οὐ προσέχει μοι τὸν νοῦν ὁ Δίφιλος, 
° A A ° , , , 
ἀλλὰ ἅπας ἐπὶ τὴν ἀκάθαρτον Θετταλὴν ve- 
, A “ Ul ESS f 
veuxe. Καὶ μέχρι μὲν τῶν ᾿Αδωνίων καὶ ἐπί- 
A lad 4 ’ 
κωμός ποτε πρὸς ἡμᾶς καὶ κοιμησόμενος 
> , " ; ει oo” . , 4 
ἐφοίτα, ἤδη μέν TOL ὡς ἄν τις ἀκκιζόμενος Kal 
A “ ‘ Ud a 
ἐρώμενον ἑαυτὸν ποιῶν, Kal τὰ γε πλεῖστα 
A ~ @ , 
ὑπὸ τοῦ “EXixos, ὁπότε μεθυσθείη, ὁδηγού- 
aw 4 A ε t 2 δ 
μενος (ἐκεῖνος yap τῆς ρπυλλίδος ἐρῶν 
4 3 ς “κα 9 , , a , 
τὴν παρ᾽ ἡμῖν yyaTa σχολήν) νῦν μὲν ToL 
“ ; > ο΄ a > , , 
δῆλός ἐστι μηδ᾽ ὅλως ἡμῖν ἐντευξόμενος: τέσ- 
4 ς BA ς > se , , 
σαρας yap ἑξῆς ἡμέρας ev τῷ Λύσιδος κήπῳ 
A , A a , ” , , 
μετὰ Θετταλῆς καὶ τοῦ κάκιστ᾽ ἀπολουμένου 
’ εἴ , > . 
UTpoyyvAlwvos, ὃς ταύτην αὕτῳ προύμνη- 
, A > , , ? 
TTEVTATO τὴν ἐρωμένην ἐμοί TL προςκρούσας, 
a , 4 ἊΝ A 
κραιπαλᾷᾳ. L'paumaridia μὲν οὖν καὶ θερα- 


, A 4 δ΄ nw , 
παινίδων διαδρομαὶ Kat ὅσα τοιαῦτα μάτην 


Sn κι νος τας ὅσο γώ νοις τς εἰς ee Se στο 


= 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON ~ 59 


XXXVII. 
MYRRHINE TO NICIPPE. 


DipHILUS no longer cares for me; he 
is altogether devoted to that dirty wretch 
Thessale. Until the day of the festival of 
Adonis, he used to come and sup and 
sleep with me from time to time, but 
since then he has put on an insolent and 
haughty air, and wants to be made much of. 
Whenever he was drunk, he was escorted 
by Helix, who was very fond of coming 
to stay at my house, since he was in love 
with Herpyllis. But now he makes no 
secret of it, that he does not intend to 
have anything more to do with me. For 
four whole days he has been on the drink 
in Lysis’s garden, in the company of 
Thessale and that accursed Strongylion, 
who, out of spite against me, has intro- 
duced this new flame to him. Letters, 
my servants’ journeys to and fro—all my 


60 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOX 


A ~ ὟΣ a 
διήνυσται, Kat οὐδὲν ἐξ αὐτῶν ὄφελος" δοκεῖ 
a \ ~ A 
dé μοι μᾶλλον ὑπὸ τούτων τετυφῶσθαι καὶ 
ε ως ea ‘ oO " ; 
ὑπερεντρυφᾶν ἡμῖν. Λοιπὸν οὖν ἀποκλείειν, 
a 4 \ ‘ ee , 
κἀν ἔἐλθῃ ποτὲ πρὸς ἡμᾶς κοιμηθησόμενος, 
, ‘ 3 , , 
εἰ δὴ κνίσαι ποτὲ ἐκείνην βουληθείη, διώ- 
A ea ΄- 
σασθαι! εἴωθε γὰρ ἡ βαρύτης τῷ ἀμελεῖσθαι 
, ἈΝ A “5 
καταβάλλεσθαι. "Kav δὲ μηδ᾽ οὕτως ἀνύοι- 
Ἁ Lal 6 - 
μεν, θερμοτέρου Twos ἡμῖν ὥσπερ τοῖς 
Ul ’ A ‘ 
σφόδρα κάμνουσι φαρμάκου δεῖ: δεινὸν yap 
οὐ τοῦτο μόνον, εἰ τῶν παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ μισθω- 
, ° , , 
μάτων στερησόμεθα, ἀλλ᾽ εἰ Θεττάλῃ γέλωτα 
ἣ \ \ 
παρέξομε. Ἔστι σοι πειραθὲέν, ws pie, 
, , , 
πολλάκις ἐφ᾽ ἡλικίας φίλτρον. Τοιούτου 
, εἴ \ 
twos βοηθήματος δεόμεθα, ὃ τὸν “πολὺν 
A Ό ᾿ \ ’ 
αὐτοῦ τύφον, GAN οὖν καὶ τὴν κραιπάλην 
9 , +] / A ᾿ wi A 
ἐκκορήσειεν. ᾿Εἰπικηρυκευσόμεθα δὴ αὐτῷ καὶ 
~ 4 A ’ .- 
δακρύσομεν πιθανῶς, καὶ τὴν Νέμεσιν δεῖν 
° \ e ΄σ " [) “5 A , ,ν τὖιΑ 
αὐτὸν ὁρῶν, εἰ οὕτως ἐμὲ περιόψεται ἐρῶσαν 
4 ~~ A an + 9. ~ 4 , 
αὐτοῦ, καὶ τοιαῦτα ἄλλα ἐροῦμεν καὶ πλασο- 
4 A 
we0a. Ἥξει yap ws ἐλεῶν δήπου με Kato- 


μένην ἐπ᾿ alto μεμνῆσθαι yap τοῦ παρελ- 


αι, 


sk 


ἜΝ oe 


eS ee ς “.. 


SS ee ee ne 


ee nt γι, eee eee es 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 60 


efforts were fruitless and without result. 
I even think they have increased his pride 
and arrogance towards me. The only 
thing that remains for me to do is to 
shut my door against him, if ever he 
wants to spend the night with me, in 
order to vex her; insolence is generally 
overcome by contempt. But, even if this 
proves useless, then I must have recourse 
to a more drastic remedy, as in cases of 
severe illness; for it would be intolerable 
not only to lose the money I get out of 
him, but also to be Thessale’s laughing- 
stock. You say you have a love-potion, 
which you have often tried upon young 
men. I need some assistance of the kind 
to cure him of his pride and fondness for 
drink. I will send to make overtures 
of peace and will try to soften him 
with my tears. I will tell him he must 
beware of the wrath of Nemesis, if he 
slights a heart so affectionate as mine. 
I will tell him other things of the same 
kind, and draw freely on my imagination. 
He will certainly come, moved to pity by 
my great affection. He will even allow 


61 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOL 


θόντος χρόνου καὶ τῆς συνηθείας ἔχειν καλῶς 
ἐρεῖ, φυσῶν ἑαυτὸν ὁ λάσταυροςς. Συλ- 
λήψεται δὲ ἡμῖν καὶ ὁ “EXE ἐπ᾽ ἐκεῖνον 
γὰρ ἡ ᾿Ἑρπυλλὶς ἀποδύσεται. ᾿Αλλ᾽ ἀμφι- 
βάλλειν εἴωθε τὰ φίλτρα καὶ ἀποσκήπτειν 
εἰς ὄλεθρον: βραχύ μοι μέλει: δεῖ γὰρ αὐ- 


τὸν 4 ἐμοὶ ζῆν ἡ τεθνάναι Θεττάλῃ. ᾿ 


a δον ee ee eee eee 


Sas ΡΟΝ 
EP ον ee 











LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 61 


that it is only right to keep past times 
and our old acquaintance in remembrance, 
puffing himself up with pride, like the 
wretch that he is. Helix also will help 
me; Herpyllis will see to him. But the 
effect of philtres is doubtful; they some- 
times prove fatal. But what do I care? 
He must either live to be mine, or die 
for Thessale. 


62 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


XXXVITI. 
Μενεκλείδης πνϑυχλὲξ. 


4 4 ‘ ε , f 
Οἴχεται Βακχὶς ἡ καλὴ, Εἰὐθύκλεις φίλ- 
3 , , a 
TATE, οἴχεται, πολλὰ TE μοι καταλιποῦσα 
, ‘ + “ ear Ἁ , 
δακρυα καὶ ἔρωτος ὅσον ἡδίστου TO τέλος 
5 “- ‘ , ᾿] 9 , ’ 
οὐ πονηροῦ τὴν μνήμην. Οὐ γὰρ ἐκλήσομαί 
, 3 LOW Μ , 
mote Baxxidos, οὐχ οὗτος ἔσται χρόνος. 
“ ἢ ᾽ , ἢ 
Οσην συμπάθειαν ἐνεδείξατο. ᾿Απολογίαν 
” , ~ ’ SA ς , an ~ 
ἐκείνην καλῶν οὐκ ἂν τις ἁμαρτάνοι τοῦ τῶν 
“ , A “ “- 
ἑταιρῶν βίου" καὶ εἰ συνελθοῦσαι ἅπασαι 
>. # ~ > “ 
πανταχόθεν εἰκόνα τινὰ αὐτῆς ἐν ᾿Αφροδίτης 
a , - A 4 aA 
ἢ Χαρίτων θεῖεν, δεξιὸν ἄν Te μοι ποιῆσαι 
~ A , ‘ , 
δοκοῦσι. To γὰρ θρυλλούμενον ὑπὸ παν- 
e A ε + e A ‘ 
τῶν, WS πονηραὶ, WS ἄπιστοι, ὡς πρὸς TO 
A , , 7 ἝΝ ~ 
λυσιτελὲς βλέπουσαι μόνον, ὡς ἀεὶ τοῦ δι- 
, e . , i. > 4 ~ - 
δόντος, ὡς τίνος γὰρ οὐκ αἴτιαι κακοῦ τοῖς 


ἐντυγχάνουσι, διαβολὴν ἐπέδειξεν ἀφ᾽ ἑαυτῆς 





5 wrth, λῶν» 


i re πω os ee 








LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 62 


XXXVIII. 


MENECLIDES TO EUTHYCLES. 


SHE is dead, dear Euthycles! beautiful 
Bacchis is dead! She has left me nothing 
but tears that will ever flow and the re- 
membrance of the sweetest love, that 
continued delightful to the end. Never 
shall I forget Bacchis: that moment will 
never be. What sympathy she had for 
all! One would be right in calling her 
a living justification of the life of a 
courtesan. I should think it an excellent | 
idea, if all the women assembled from 
all parts and set up her statue in the 
temple of Venus or the Graces. It is 
a common reproach against such women 
that they are wicked, faithless, greedy 
after money: that their doors are always 
open to anyone who will give them 
money presents, and that they bring all 
kinds of misfortunes upon their lovers. 
She has shown by her example the in- 
justice of such accusations: her honour- 


63 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


» oe 4 4 A , 
ἄδικον: οὕτω πρὸς τὴν κοινὴν βλασφημίαν 
lad ’ > ‘ 
τῷ ἤθει παρετάξατου Οἶσθα τὸν Μήδειον 
ae ‘ 3 Χ A , - , 
ἐκεῖνον τὸν ἀπὸ τῆς Συρίας δεῦρο κατάραντα 
3 4 , 4 “ > ’ 
μεθ᾽ ὅσης θεραπείας καὶ παρασκευῆς ἐσόβει, 
’ὔ / A , ‘ 
εὐνούχους ὑπισχνούμενος Kat θεραπαίνας Kat 
, A , \ Φ A 
κόσμον τινὰ βαρβαρικόν: Kat ὅμως ἄκοντα 
> A 5 , " shies >, τὰ ἜΝ 
αὐτὸν οὐ προσίετο, ἀλλ᾽ ὑπὸ τοὐμον ἡγάπα 
, , ‘ \ ~ ‘ 
κοιμωμεένη χλανίσκιον TO λιτὸν τοῦτο Kal 
Ἁ A - ~ , 
δημοτικὸν, Kal τοῖς παρ᾽ ἡμῶν γλίσχρως 
aie , 9 ’ A 
αὐτῇ πεμπομένοις ἐπανέχουσα, τὰς σατρα- 
‘ dye ‘ , \ 
mikas ἐκείνας καὶ πολυχρύσους dwpeas διω- 
- A \ 9 , 4 ε 
θεῖτο. Τί δὲ τὸν Αἰγύπτιον ἔμπορον ὡς 
ς ; “ τ , 
ἀπεσκοράκισεν, ὅσον ἀργυρίου προτείνοντα; 
sat » “ + ny ΟΡ Ψ , ot 
Οὐδὲν ἐκείνης ἄμεινον εὖ old OTL γένοιτ᾽ ay. 
e A > 3 7 
Qs χρηστὸν ἦθος οὐκ εἰς εὐδαίμονα βίου 
, , κὸν >> Ψῃ 
προαίρεσιν δαίμων τὶς ὑπήνεγκεν. Hit’ otxe- 
ec nr 9 ~ \ \ 
ται ἡμᾶς ἀπολιποῦσα, Kat κείσεται λοιπὸν 
, ; ς " > ’ 4 
μόνη ἡ Βακχίς. “Qs ἄδικον, ὦ φίλαι μοῖραι: 
Μ A TL es - , 4 ~ 
ἔδει γὰρ αὐτῇ συγκατακεῖσθαί με καὶ νῦν 
, PES | A , A ~ 
ὡς τότε. ᾿Αλλ᾽ ἐγὼ μεν περίειμι, καὶ τροφῆς 
’ A , a e ’ € A 
vravw, καὶ διαλέξομαι τοῖς ἑταίροις. ἡ δὲ 
Ε] »᾿ a a + 4 
οὐκ ἔτι με φαιδροῖς τοῖς ὄμμασιν ὄψεται 


A sal of A 9 A ’ὔ 
μειδιῶσα, οὐδὲ ἵλεως καὶ εὐμενῆς διανυκτερεύσει 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 63 


able conduct protected her from the 
general slander. You remember that 
Mede who came from Syria with a nu- 
merous suite and great pomp? He pro- 
mised her eunuchs, slaves, and Oriental 
ornaments: but she rejected his advances. 
She was content to share my humble 
cloak, and, satisfied with my trifling 
presents, refused the gold and _ lavish 
presents of the satrap. Do you re- 
member, also, how she rejected the 
Egyptian merchant, who offered her un- 
told gold? There was never ἃ better 
creature born; I am convinced of it. 
Why, with all her good qualities, did 
not Fortune guide her to a better choice ? 
And now she is gone, she has left me, 
and for the future will rest alone in the 
grave! How unjust, O kindly Fates! 
why am I not united with her in death, 
as formerly in life? But alas! I still 
live, I eat my food, and hold converse 
with my friends; but she will never look 
upon me again with her bright eyes, 
with a smile upon her lips; nor, kind 
and gentle, will she pass the night with 


64 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


aA ear > , , ΠῚ , 
τοῖς ἡδίστοις ἐκείνοις κολάσμασιν. ᾿Αρτίως 
“" , “ - 
μὲν οἷον ἐφθέγγετο, οἷον ἔβλεπεν, ὅσαι ταῖς 
“ “ , A 
ὁμιλίαις αὐτῆς Σειρῆνες ἐνίδρυντο, ws δὲ ἡδύ 
A » κν 9 \ ~ U , 
τι καὶ ἀκήρατον ἀπὸ τῶν φιλημάτων νέκταρ 
᾽᾿ a eo ὰνἶὕν “-“ - 
ἔσταζεν: ἐπ᾽ ἄκροις μοι δοκεῖ τοῖς χείλεσιν 
, A " , e ’; oe ’ ’ 
αὐτῆς ἐκαθισεν ἡ ΤΠειθώς ἅπαντα ἐκείνη γε 
Ἁ Ἁ « , a - , 
τὸν κεστὸν ὑπεζώσατο, ὅλαις ταῖς Χάρισι 
4 4 A 
τὴν ᾿Αφροδίτην δεξιωσαμένη. “Epper τὰ παρὰ 
Ν , , » ee a > , 
τὰς πόσεις μινυρίσματα, Kal ἡ τοῖς ἐλεφαντί- 
νοις δακτύλοις κρονομένη λύρα ἔῤῥει. Keira 
A , / , 
δὲ ἡ πάσαις μέλουσα Χάρισι κωφὴ λίθος καὶ 
, A U A 
omodia. Kat Meyapa μὲν ἡ ἱππόπορνος 
“ἢ . ’ , 3 ~ e > 
ζῃ, οὕτω Θεαγένη συλήσασα ἀνηλεῶς, ὡς ἐκ 
’ “ , 3 
πάνυ λαμπρᾶς οὐσίας τὸν ἄθλιον χλαμύδιον 
« U A , + , 
ἁρπάσαντα καὶ πελτην οἴχεσθαι στρατευσό- 
᾿ A ‘ ~ 
μενον. Baxxis de ἡ Tov ἐραστὴν φιλοῦσα 
° ’ ε , , \ ’ ’ , 
ἀπέθανε. Pawy γέγονα πρὸς σέ ἀποδυρα- 
, , A U a 
μενος, EvOoxAes φίλτατε: ἡδὺ yap μοι δοκεῖ 
\ 9 , A a A , sat A 
περὶ ἐκείνης καὶ λαλεῖν καὶ ypagew οὐδὲν γὰρ 


ἢ τὸ μεμνῆσθαι καταλέλειπται. ΓΕ ῥῥωσο. 


ΡΠ ΟΡ ny ΨΉΎΎ ΡΨ ae ΤΡῊῊ 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON «64 


me in delightful encounters. But just 
now, how she spoke, how she looked! 
what charms were in her words! how 
sweet and pure was the nectar that dis- 
tilled from her kisses! It seems to me, 
Persuasion sat upon her lips; girt with 
the cestus, she went hand in hand with 
Venus and the Graces. Now all the 
ditties she used to sing as the wine went 
round are over; the lyre, which she 
smote with her ivory fingers, is silent : 
she, who was the darling of all the 
Graces, lies mute as a stone, mere dust 
and ashes. And Megara, that fearful 
prostitute, is still alive, after having so 
mercilessly plundered Theagenes that, re- 
duced to poverty from affluence, he has 
snatched up a miserable cloak and shield, 
and gone off as a soldier; while Bacchis, 
who adored her lover, is dead. I feel 
easier, my dearest Euthycles, now that 
I have poured my lament into your ears; 
for it is delightful to me to speak and 
write of her, now that nothing is left to 
me but the remembrance of her. Fare- 
well. 


65 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


XXXIX. 
Meyapa Βακχίδι. 


Σοὶ μόνῃ ἐραστὴς γέγονεν, ὃν φιλεῖς 
οὕτως, ὥστε μήδ᾽ ἀκαρῇ πως αὐτοῦ διαζευχ- 
θῆναι δύνασθαι. Τῆς ἀηδίας, δέσποινα ᾿Αφρο- 
δίτη. Κληθεῖσα ὑπὸ Τλυκέρας εἰς τοσοῦτον 

, ies A ’ κ ὃς κῶν δι 
Χρόνον (ἀπὸ τῶν Διονυσίων γὰρ ἡμῖν ἀπήγ- 
γειλεν), οὐχ ἥκεις, εἰ μὴ δι᾿ ἐκείνην, οὐδὲ τὰς 
φίλας ἰδεῖν γυναῖκας ἀνασχομένη. Σώφρων 
γέγονας σὺ καὶ φιλεῖς τὸν ἐραστήν. Μα- 

’ “ 3 , ε al \ A , 4 
Kapia τῆς εὐφημίας: ἡμεῖς δὲ καὶ πόρναι καὶ 
ἀκόλαστοι. Ὕ πῆρξε καὶ Φίλωνι συκίνη βακ- 

, " , A A A , , 
τηρία' ὀργίζομαι γὰρ νὴ τὴν μεγάλην θεόν. 
Πᾶσαι γὰρ ἥἣἥμεν, Θεττάλη, Μυῤῥίνη, Χρυσίον, 

, “ 4 
Εὐξίππη" ὅπου καὶ Φιλουμένη, καί τοι yeya- 


μημένη προσφάτως καὶ ζηλοτυπουμένη, τὸν 








LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON _ 65 


XXXIX, 
MEGARA TO BACCHIs. 


You alone have a lover, of whom you 
are so enamoured that you cannot endure 
to be separated from him for a moment. 
How impolite! by our lady Venus! Al- 
though you had been invited long ago by 
Glycera—since the Dionysia, she told us 
—you did not come; if you could not do 
so for her sake, I wonder how you could 
bear to refuse to join your friends. You 
have become modest, and are in love 
with your admirer. Does such a repu- 
tation make you happy? Well, we are 
only prostitutes and cannot control our 
passions. But, patience; Philo also had 
a staff of fig-tree wood: by the great 
goddess, I am angry with you. We were 
all present, Thessale, Myrrhine, Chrysium, 
Euxippe ; and Philumena, who has recently 
married a jealous husband, put the worthy 

9--2 


66 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


\ 9 ’ Ἁ 7 ᾽ Ἁ ‘ 
καλὸν ἀποκοιμίσασα Tov ἄνδρα, owe μεν, 
~ 4 A - , ‘ + 
ὅμως δὲ παρῆν. Σὺ de ἡμῖν μόνη τὸν Αδωνιν 
’ ‘ 
περιέψυχες, μή που καταλειφθέντα αὐτὸν 
lal “ / / 
ὑπὸ σοῦ τῆς ᾿Αφροδίτης ἡ Ileprepovn παρα- 
U - ~ ’ 
λάβῃ. Οἷον ἡμῶν ἐγένετο τὸ συμπόσιον (τί 
A 9." Π) , ~ ᾽ὔ δ 
γὰρ οὐχ ἅψομαι cov τῆς καρδίας), ὅσων 
, ~ 40) δ A , Ld 
χαρίτων πλῆρες. ιδαὶ, σκώμματα, πότος 
7 τ / x aS / / 
εἰς ἀλεκτρυόνων @das, μύρα, στέφανοι, Tpa- 
, © , \ , a aoe , 
γήματα. Ὕ πόσκιος τισὶ dadvats ἣν ἡ κατά- 
a + 4 3 
κλισις. ἕν μόνον ἡμῖν ἔλειπε, σύ. τὰ δ᾽ ἄλλα 
U 4 
ov. Πολλάκις ἐκραιπαλήσαμεν, οὕτω δὲ 
, \ ~ - - 
ἡδέως ὀλιγάκι. Τὸ γοῦν πλεῖστον ἡμῖν 
, , 
παρασκευάσαν τέρψιν, δεινή τις φιλονεικία 
’ Ν 4 ~ 
κατέσχε Θρυαλλίδα καὶ Μυῤῥίνην ὑπὲρ τῆς 
A , re 4 
πυγῆς, πότερα κρείττω καὶ ἁπαλωτέραν 
Α 
ἐπιδείξε. Καὶ πρώτη Μυῤῥίνη τὸ ζώνιον 
’ > \ “ 
λύσασα, βόμβυξ δ᾽ ἣν τὸ χιτώνιον, δι᾽ αὐτοῦ 
’ lo \ oa ‘ , A 
τρέμουσαν, οἷον πιμελή ἢ πήῆκτον γάλα, τὴν 
7 nn ᾿] , ε ’; ς 9. ’ 
ὀσφῦν ἀνεσάλευσεν, ὑποβλέπουσα εἰς τοὐπίσω 
Ἀ ‘ ~ “ἢ io 
πρὸς Ta κινήματα τῆς πυγῆς. ἠρέμα δ᾽ οἷον 
9 “- , °’ ‘ e ld 4 Δ ῸΝ 
ἐνεργοῦσα τι ἐρωτικὸν ὑπεστέναξεν, ὥστε ἐμὲ, 
2," A , ~ 
vy τὴν ᾿Αφροδίτην, καταπλαγῆναι. Οὐ μὴν 


ἀπεῖπέ γε ἡ Θρνυαλλὶς, ἀλλὰ τῇ ἀκολασίᾳ 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 66 


man to bed, and joined us, although she 
came late. But you alone carefully guarded 
your Adonis, lest, if you, his Venus, left 
him, Proserpine might claim him for her 
own. What a bout we had! how full of 
enjoyment! for I see no reason to spare 
your feelings. Songs, jests, drinking till 
cock-crow, perfumes, garlands, sweetmeats. 
The place where we sat down was shaded 
with laurels: only one thing was wanting 
—your company; nothing else. We have 
often got drunk before, but rarely so 
delightfully. But what afforded us the 
greatest amusement was a serious dispute 
between Thryallis and Myrrhine, as to 
which of them could show the finest and 
most. delicate buttocks. Myrrhine first 
unloosed her girdle, and began to shake 
her loins, which quivered through her 
silken shift like fat or curdled milk, look- 
ing back complacently all the time at the 
movements of her rump, then, moving 
gently as if she were in the act, she 
sighed, so that, by Venus, I was struck 
with astonishment. Nor did Thryallis 
shrink from the contest, but, eager to 


67 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


, 
παρευδοκίμησεν αὐτήν. ov γὰρ διὰ παρα- 
’ ἌΣ. ΤᾺ ? , dat 
πετασμάτων eyo, φησίν, ἀγωνίσομαι, οὐδὲ 
" 9 o> A 
ἀκκιξζομένη, ἀλλ᾽ οἷον ἐν γυμνικῷ' καὶ γὰρ 
-“ , “5 ¢ 7 A 
οὐ φιλεῖ προφάσεις ἀγών. ᾿Απεδύσατο τὸ 
‘ ‘ e , ‘ ’ la 
χιτώνιον, καὶ μικρὸν ὑποσιμώσασα THY ὀσφῦν, 
kd ‘ , \ “ ‘ e μὰ Α 
ἰδοῦ, σκόπει τὸ “Χρῶμα, φησὶν, ὡς ἀκριβὲς, 
er ¢ 5 , ς θ , , 
Μυῤῥίνη, ὡς ἀκήρατον, ὡς καθαρόν: τά πορ- 
7 a“ , Py A 9. “ἢ, Ἁ ‘| 
pupa τῶν ἰσχίων ταυτί: τὴν ἐπὶ τοὺς μηροὺς 
\ , 9. 
ἔγκρισιν, τὸ μήτε ὑπέρογκον αὐτῶν μήτε 
” ΄“ ’ 3 37 
ἄσαρκον, τοῦς γελασίνους ἐπ᾿ ἄκρων. ᾿Αλλ’ 
, A , , “5 
οὐ τρέμει, νὴ Δία, ὥσπερ ἡ Μυρρίνης, ἀλλ᾽ 
ε A n A 3 , 
ὑπομειδιῶσα τοσοῦτον παλμὸν ἐξειργά- 
“ lon 4 7.25 e A 
σατο τῆς πυγῆς, Kal ἅπασαν αὐτὴν ὑπὲρ 
" 3 a ᾽ν" ‘ >. Loe LA 
τὴν οσφῦν τῇδε καὶ τῇδε ὥσπερ ῥέουσαν 
, ¢ ° “ς r A 
περιεδίνησεν, ὥστε ἀνακροτῆσαι πάσας, καὶ 
, ° , ~ ’ ’ 
νίκην ἀποῴφηνασθαι τῆς Θρυαλλίδος. ᾿᾽Ἐγέ- 
4 A 4 2 , 4 4 
vovTo δὲ καὶ περὶ ἀλλων συγκρίσεις, Kal περὶ 
, 5 “a “ A 7 , 
μασταρίων ἀγῶνες: τῆς μὲν yap Φιλουμένης 
A 3 “ 209 ε “΄“ 9 , 
γαστρὶ ἀντεξετασθῆναι οὐδ᾽ ἡτισοῦν ἐθάρ- 
! ᾽ Lg \ ~ 
σήσεν ἄτοκος γὰρ ἣν καὶ σφριγῶσα. Kara- 
, ~ : A A ~ 
παννυχίσασαι γοῦν καὶ τοὺς ἐραστὰς κακῶς 
] lal XN ἊΨ > a Ge! aeX 
εἰποῦσαι Kat ἄλλων ἐπιτυχεῖν εὐξάμεναι (ἀεὶ 


γὰρ ἡδίων ἡ πρόσφατος ἀφροδίτη), φχόμεθα 


σ᾿ 


ΟΡ Ψ ΤΥ 


ee ΜΉ τ 





—  ἀσω οὰ 








On as as ee 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON | 67, 


surpass her in wantonness, said, “1 will 
not enter the lists with anything to cover 
me, or with any affectation, but just like 
the athletes at the games: the contest 
admits of no shuffling.” She stripped off 
her shift, and, bending her loins upwards 
a little, she said, ‘‘ Look at the colour, 
Myrrhine, how perfect it is, how pure, 
how irreproachable! Look at my hips, 
how they join the thighs, neither too 
fleshy nor too lean, and the dimples at 
their extremities.”’ Then she showed her 
loins, not trembling, like Myrrhine’s, and, 
with a smile, shook them with a quivering 
motion, and whirled her buttocks round in 
every direction so that they seemed like 
running water. Then we all clapped our 
hands and awarded the victory to Thry- 
4115. We also had other contests, and 
compared each other’s breasts; nobody, 
however, ventured to dispute the palm 
with Philumena, who has never had a 
child and is plump and swelling. Having 
spent the night in this way and abused 
our lovers and prayed that we might find 
others—for the latest fancy is always the 


68 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOZ 


‘ 
ἔξοινοι. ἸΙολλὰ δὲ κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν κραιπαλή- 
9 / , . ‘ 
σασαι, ἐπεκωμάσαμεν Δεξιμάχῳ κατὰ τὸν 
“ Ἁ 
χρυσοῦν στενωπὸν, ὡς ἐπὶ τὴν ἄγνον κατιόντι 
“a , , 4 
πλησίον τῆς Mevéppovos οἰκία. ‘Epa γὰρ 
" ~ A “ ‘ ‘ , De. + 
αὐτοῦ Θαὶς κακῶς, καὶ νὴ Δία εἰκότως: ἔναγ- 
‘ , / , ‘ 
Xos yap πλούσιον κεκληρονόμηκε πατέρα TO 
, a ‘ > , ” , 
μειράκιον. Νῦν μὲν οὖν συγγνώμην ἔχομέν 
“ ’ “ , \ 
σοι τῆς ὑπεροψίας τοῖς ᾿Αδωνίοις δὲ ἐν 
lad “ , 
Κολυττῷ ἑστιώεθα παρὰ τῷ Θεττάλης 
> A κι 4 Ὁ , > ε 
ἐραστῇ τὸν γὰρ τῆς ᾿Αφροδίτης ἐρώμενον ἡ 
, , “ 
Oerrady στέλλει. Ὅπως δ᾽ ἥξεις φέρουσα 
\ , 4 κι Ἂς τῷ 
κήτιον καὶ κοράλλιον, καὶ τὸν σὸν ἴΛδωνιν, 
εἴ lal , ". Ἵ A " a 
ὃν νῦν περιψύχεις. μετὰ γὰρ τῶν ἐραστῶν 


κραιπαλήσομεν. "Εῤῥωσο. 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 68 


sweetest—we went away pretty well tipsy. 
After many drunken freaks on the way, 
we went to finish up at Deximachus’s, . 
in the Golden Alley, near the house of 
Meniphron as you go down towards Agnus. 
For Thais is desperately in love with 
him, and with good reason, by Jove; for 
the lad has just come in for a large for- 
tune from his father. We will pardon 
you for your contemptuous treatment of 
us. On the day of the festival of Adonis 
we are going to have a feast at Colyttus 
at the house of Thessale’s lover: for it is 
her turn to bedeck the lover of Venus. 
We will pardon you, on condition that 
you come and bring a dice-box and coral 
image, and your pet Adonis; for we 
shall have a jollification with our lovers. 
Farewell. 


69  AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOZ 


XL. Le 


i 


 Piroupévy Κρίτωνι. 


Th πολλὰ γράφων ἀνιᾷς σεαυτόν ; πεντή- 
κοντά σοι χρυσῶν δεῖ, καὶ γραμμάτων οὐ δεῖ. 
Et μὲν οὖν φιλεῖς, δός: εἰ δὲ φιλαργυρεῖς, μὴ 
ἐνόχλε. Ἑῤῥωσο. 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 69 


XL. 
PHILUMENE TO CRITO. 


Wuy do you trouble yourself to write 
so often? I want fifty gold pieces, not 
letters. If you love me, give them to 
me; but if you are too fond of your 
money, don’t bother me. Good-bye. 


70 AAKI®@PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


LIBER SECUNDOUS. 


I. 
Λάμια Δημητρίῳ. 


A , “ , 4 - 
Σὺ ταύτης τῆς παῤῥησίας αἴτιος, τοσοῦτος 
‘ iy ᾿ , A 9 , 
ὧν βασιλεὺς, εἶτα ἐπιτρέψας καὶ ἐταίρᾳ 
, A 5 ε “ ‘ 
γράφειν σοι, καὶ οὐχ ἡγησάμενος δεινὸν 
3 , re 9 - , of 
ἐντυγχάνειν τοῖς ἐμοῖς γράμμασιν, ὅλῃ μοι 
> , 5 ‘ , , A 
ἐντυγχάνων. “Eye, δέσποτα Δημήτριε, ὅταν 
eae , TA , a. A 
μὲν ἔξω σε θεάσωμαι Kal ἀκούσω μετὰ τῶν 
, ‘ “ , 4 ~ 
δορυφόρων Kat τῶν στρατοπέδων καὶ τῶν 
, \ “A , κ ‘ 
πρεσβέων καὶ τῶν διαδημάτων, νὴ τὴν ’Adpo- 
, , ‘ , A , 
δίτην, πέφρικα καὶ δέδοικα καὶ TapaTTomat 
‘ 5 , e ‘ A 5" ων 
καὶ ἀποστρέφομαι ὡς Tov ἥλιον, μὴ ἐπικαῶ 
eee \ , a4 e 
τὰ ὄμματα Kal τότε μοι ὄντως ὁ πολιορ- 
4 > a i Α 4 
κητῆς εἶναι δοκεῖς Δημήτριος. Οἷον de καὶ 


, , ‘ A , 4 
βλέπεις τότε, ὡς πικρὸν καὶ πολεμικόν" καὶ 





τῶ τινὰ, eee 


μὔ μι a κα να 








LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON _ 70 


BOOK ἢ. 


I. 
LAMIA TO DEMETRIUS. 


You are to blame for the liberty I 
am taking; for you, though so mighty a 
monarch, have allowed a courtesan to 
write to you, and do not disdain to 
accept my letters, after you have ac- 
cepted me. O my Lord Demetrius, when I 
see you in public, and in the midst of your 
body-guards and soldiers, and with the 
ambassadors, wearing your diadem, by 
Venus, I shudder and am afraid: I am 
confounded and turn-my eyes away from 
you, as from the blazing sun, lest your 
splendour consume them: then in truth 
you appear to me as Demetrius, the 
besieger of cities." How fierce and war- 
like is your look! Then I can hardly 
believe my own eyes, and I say to myself: 

1 He was called Poliorcetes. 


71  AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


" ~ > ~ Ἁ ’ , 4 4 
ἀπιστῶ ἐμαυτῇ καὶ λέγω Λάμια, σὺ μετὰ 


“- A 
τοῦδε καθεύδεις; σὺ διὰ νυκτὸς ὅλης αὐτὸν 


a 4 ~ lol 9 ’ -! 4 
καταυλεῖς; σοὶ νῦν οὗτος ἐπεσταλκε; σοί. 


, \ e a , ‘ 
Γνάθαιναν τὴν ἑταῖραν συγκρίνει ; καὶ ἠλογη- 
, “ ‘ , “ 
μένη σιωπῶ καὶ εὐχομένη θεάσασθαι παρ᾽ 
~ . @ ~ 4 
ἑαυτῇ. Καὶ ὅταν ἔλθῃς, προσκυνῷ σε, καὶ 
4 , -~™ , 
ὅταν περιπλακεὶς μέγα φιλῇς, πάλιν πρὸς 
> ‘ - , , @ M9 a 
ἐμαυτὴν TavavTia λέγω οὗτος ἐστιν ὁ πολι- 
A nic wilt © 9 a , 
ορκητῆς; οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἐν τοῖς στρατοπέδοις; 
a π΄ 4 “- e , 
τοῦτον φοβεῖται Μακεδονία ; τοῦτον ἡ Ελλας ; 
A ε t ἕ \ \ . , ἢ 
τοῦτον ἡ Θρᾷάκη; νὴ τὴν ᾿Αφροδίτην σή- 
" - - 95 - ᾽ 
μερον αὐτοῖς τοῖς αὐλοῖς ἐκπολιορκήσω, καὶ 
+ ’ » 4 
ὄψομαι, τί με διαθήσει. Μεῖνον εἰς τρίτην, 
9 ᾽ \ Ν , , Ν 
παρ᾽ ἐμοὶ yap δειπνήσεις, δέομαι. Τὰ 
’ “ ~ 
᾿Αφροδίσια ποιῶ ταῦτα κατ᾽ ἔτος, καὶ 
9 “ aS ° 4 ’ - 
ἀγῶνα ἔχω, εἰ τὰ πρότερα τοῖς ὑστέροις 
a ε , Yj ‘ 
νικᾷ. ὋὙποδέξομαι δέ ce ἐπαφροδίτως καὶ 
e x , ~ + , 
ὡς eu μαλιστα πιθανῶς, Gv μοι περιουσιάσαι 
, «ε ἢ ~ 4 dogs “ A 
γένηται ὑπὸ σοῦ, μηδὲν ἀνάξιον τῶν σῶν 
. ~ ’ ye A εὖ Ὡς A ” 
ἀγαθῶν ἐξ ἐκείνης τῆς ἱερᾶς νυκτὸς ἔτι 
, , ~ 9 / 
πεποιηκυίᾳ, καί TOL σοῦ γε ἐπιτρέποντος, 


[2 ΄ ΄“ ἴω 
ὅπως ἂν βούλωμαι, χρῆσθαι τῷ ἐμῷ σώματι: 





ee Ἐν 


ἔν. ὰ ὧδ δ δέ | he 








LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 71 


O Lamia, is this the man with whom 
you sleep? is this the man to whom 
you sing and play all night ? is this the man 
who has just written to you? does he think 
Gnathaena as beautiful as yourself? But 
this does not grieve me: I silently utter 
a prayer that I may see you at my house. 
When you come, I adore you, and when 
you take me to your arms and kiss me 
fondly, I say to myself on the other hand: 
Is this the besieger of cities? is this the 
man of war? is this the terror of Macedo- 
nia, Greece, and Thrace? By Venus, I will 
take him by storm this day with my 
pipes alone, and I will see how he will 
treat me. Wait until the day after to- 
morrow, and you shall sup with me. I 
celebrate the feast of Venus every year, 
and I do all I can to make each suc- 
ceeding feast surpass the last. I will 
receive you lovingly and winningly, if 
you assist me generously; for I have 
committed no act that should make me 
undeserving of your kindness since that 
blessed night, although you gave me per- 
mission to make what use I pleased of 


72 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


° Α ’ “ 4 " ἴΓ κ 
ἀλλὰ κέχρημαι καλῶς καὶ ἀμίκτως πρὸς 
« ’ 9 , ‘ e Ἁ xat 
ἑτέρου. Οὐ ποιήσω τὸ ἑταιρικὸν, οὐδὲ 
7 ’ ς lA ~ 3 A 
ψεύσομαι, δέσποτα, ὡς ἄλλαι ποιοῦσιν: ἐμοὶ 
Ἁ 3 9 ’ 3 δ Ἂν ΕΣ 
γὰρ ἐξ ἐκείνου, μὰ τὴν Αρτεμιν, οὐδὲ προς- 
+ A \ , 
ἔπεμψαν ἔτι πολλοὶ, οὐδὲ ἐπείρασαν, aidov- 
ld \ , 9 , ? ε 
μενοί σον τὰς πολιορκίας. ᾿Οξύς ἐστιν ὁ 
x 5 “- aD “ A “ “ 
Epws, ὦ βασιλεῦ, καὶ ἐλθεῖν καὶ ἀναπτῆναι: 
9 , ~ 4 95 , A 
ἐλπίσας πτεροῦται, Kal ἀπελπίσας ταχὺ 
a ΕΙΣ ° , ‘ A 
πτεροῤῥυεῖν εἴωθεν ἀπογνωσθείς. Διὸ καὶ 
2 ~ ~ ’ φΦ. 4 A 
μέγα τῶν ἑταιρουσῶν ἐστι σόφισμα, ἀεὶ TO 
‘ an 9 , ἢ a 
παρὸν τῆς ἀπολαύσεως ὑπερτιθεμένας ταῖς 
9 ’ - 4A Ε] , A € r 
ἐλπίσι διακρατεῖν τοὺς ἐραστας. (πρὸς ὑμᾶς 
, dot / ’ 
δέ οὐδὲ ὑπερτίθεσθαι ἔξεστιν, ὥστε φόβον 
> , \ e a \ \ A 
εἶναι κόρου) λοιπὸν ἡμας δεῖ τὰ μὲν πονεῖν, 
\ \ U \ δ @ , A - 
τὰ δὲ μαλακίζεσθαι, τὰ de ade, τά δὲ αὐλεῖν, 
A A ’ “- A A a \ A 
τὰ δὲ ὀρχεῖσθαι, τὰ δὲ δειπνοποιεῖν, τὰ δὲ 
- \ icy A e ~ ΝΜ, 
κοσμεῖν σοι τὸν οἶκον, τὰς ὁπωσοῦν ἄλλως 
‘ , , , 
ταχὺ μαραινομένας μεσολαβούσας χάριτας, 
δ ~ 94. - , 9 
ἵνα μᾶλλον ἐξάπτωνται τοῖς διαστήμασι εὐ- 
, ΔΙῚ ὟΝ \ , κ᾿ 
αλούστεραι αὐτῶν αἱ ψυχαὶ, φοβουμένων, μὴ 
a Ul ’ ~ 9 fe , 
ἄλλο wadw γένηται τῆς ἐν τῷ παρόντι 


, ’ ~ A \ A e , 
τύχης κώλυμα. Ταῦτα de πρὸς μὲν ἑτέρους 











LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 72 


my person; but I have not abused your 
kindness, and I have had _ intercourse 
with no one. I will not play the harlot, 
nor, my Lord, will I lie, as others do; in 
truth, by Diana! since that time but few 
have sent me presents, in their awe of 
the besieger of cities. O my King, Love 
is swift to come and to fly away: when 
in hope, he flutters his wings; when in 
despair, he droops and sheds his feathers. 
Wherefore it is a favourite trick of courte- 
sans to wheedle their lovers with hopes 
of ever-deferred enjoyment, although with 
a man like yourself there is no excuse 
for delay, since there is no fear of your 
being sated; we pretend to be ill, to be 
busily engaged, to be singing, playing the 
flute, dancing, preparing a supper, or 
furnishing a house, by such means inter- 
rupting the fulfilment of their enjoyment, 
which, unless we do this, soon becomes 
insipid. The result is, that the hearts of 
our lovers are more easily caught and 
inflamed, since they are afraid that some 
fresh obstacle may arise in the way of 
their present fortune. In the case of others, 
το 


73 AAKI@PONOY PHTOPOZ 


Ul , A U ‘ 
τάχα ἂν ἐδυνάμην, βασιλεῦ, φυλάττεσθαι Kai 
’ὔ Ν A 4 εἴ Od + 4 
τεχνιτεύειν πρὸς δὲ σε, ὃς οὕτως ἤδη ἔχεις 
MIDRIB ᾽ , Rites LE 
ἐπ᾽ ἐμοὶ, ὡς ἐπιδεικνύναι με καὶ ἀγαλλεσθαι 
\ ‘ Ε ε ’ 4 “~ GFR 
πρὸς τὰς ἄλλας ἑταίρας, ὅτι πασῶν eyw 
’ 4 ‘ ’ 9 
πρωτεύω, μὰ τὰς φίλας Μούσας, οὐκ ἂν 
ς r , 9’ ev ἃ 
ὑπομείναιμι πλάττεσθαι. Οὐχ οὕτως εἰμὶ 
, “ ᾿ς , 4 \ ‘ 
ALBiyn. Ὥστε ἀφεῖσα πάντα καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν 
9 “ 9 ° / , 9 « ’ 
ἐμαντῆς εἰς ἀρέσκειαν σου, ὀλίγον ἡγήσομαι 
* > > 4 Ψ ς , 
δαπανῆσαι. Ed οἶδα yap, ὅτι ov μόνον ἐν 
“-- , , 9 S , Ν 
τῇ Θηριππιδίου οἰκίᾳ, ev ἡ μέλλω σοι TO 
A 7 ° 7 A 
τῶν ’Adpodiciwy εὐτρεπίζειν δεῖπνον, ἔσται 
A " ‘ 4 ec 
διαβόητος ἡ παρασκευὴ, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ 
“σ᾿ , , ‘ 4 + 
τῇ ᾿Αθηναίων πόλει, νὴ τὴν ΓΆρτεμιν, καὶ 
“ae , , 4 , 
ἐν τῇ Βλλαδι πασῃ. Καὶ μαλιστα οἱ μιση- 
4 , eo ~ »» a 
τοὶ Λακεδαιμόνιοι, wa δοκῶσιν ἄνδρες εἶναι 
ε 9 > / ᾿ 7 3 , 
of ev ᾿Εφέσῳ ἀλώπεκες, ov παύσονται τοῖς 
“Ὁ “ 3» ‘ a , ~ 
Ταὔγέτοις ὄρεσι καὶ ταῖς ἐρημίαις ἑαυτῶν 
U “A ‘ a 
διαβάλλοντες ἡμῶν τὰ δεῖπνα, καταλυκουργί- 
~ “- % 7 9 
ζοντες τῆς σῆς ἀνθρωποπαθείας. ᾿Αλλ᾽ αὐτοὶ 
4 , / A A 9 4 ᾽ὔ 
μὲν χαιρόντων, δέσποτα' σὺ δὲ ἐμοὶ μέμνησο 
“ ‘ e , Στὰ , \ A 
φυλάξαι τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ δείπνου, καὶ τὴν 
ov , eA bal “ ZS edit ‘ τ 
ὥραν, ἣν ἂν eAy ἀρίστη γὰρ, ἣν βούλει. 


"Ἑ ῥῥωσο. 


he ee ee σι ΝΣ... 


ee --... 





ee ee ΤῊΣ 








LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 73 


I might perhaps carefully practise these 
arts; but towards you, who are so de- 
voted to me, that you publicly make a 
show of me and delight in telling other 
women that I excel them all, I could 
not endure to be so deceitful. I am not 
so silly: if I gave up everything, even my 
life, to do you pleasure, I should consider 
the sacrifice a trifling one. For I well 
know that my preparations will be talked 
about, not only in Therippidium’s house, 
where I intend to entertain you during 
the feast of Venus, but throughout Athens ; 
yes, by Artemis, throughout the whole 
extent of Greece. Above all, the hateful 
Lacedaemonians, that they, who behaved 
like foxes at Ephesus, may pretend to be 
heroes, will not cease to abuse our ban- 
quet on the mountains of Taygetus and in 
their solitary fastnesses, inveighing against 
your humanity and kindness with the 
severity of Lycurgus. But think no more 
of them; remember to observe the day 
of my banquet, and fix the hour yourself. 
Whatever time suits you will be the 
best. Farewell. 
10—2 


74 ΑΛΚΊΦΡΟΝΟΣ ῬΗΤΌΡΟΣ 


Il. 
Λεόντιον Λαμίᾳ. 


904 ’ ε + ’ A 
Οὐδὲν δυσαρεστότερον, ws ἔοικεν, ἐστὶ 
, , , ar 
πάλιν μειρακιευομένου πρεσβύτου. Ota pe 
᾿ - , “ 
"Exikovpos οὗτος διοικεῖ, πάντα λοιδορῶν, 
, ς , ? ‘ ς , 
πάντα ὑποπτεύων, ἐπιστολας ἀδιαλύτους μοι 
’ 9 “- 
γράφων, ἐκδιώκων ἐκ τοῦ κήπου. Μὰ τὴν 
, babe > A 9 A ᾽ 
᾿Αφροδίτην, εἰ ᾿Αδωνις ἣν ἤδη ἐγγὺς ὀγδοή- 
A ld 9 "5 ΄ 9 , 
κοντα γεγονὼς ἔτη, οὐκ ἂν αὐτοῦ ἠνεσχόμην 
A A “ \ 
φθειριῶντος Kat φιλονοσοῦντος, καὶ KaTa- 
, > , , ° A 
πεπιλημένονυ εὖ μᾶλα πόκοις ἀντὶ πίλων. 
’ , e “- A , 
Μέχρι τίνος ὑπομενεῖ τις Tov φιλόσοφον 
an , ‘ , ~ , 
τοῦτον ; ἐχέτω τὰς περὶ φύσεως αὑτοῦ κυρίας 
A 4 , ’ A 
δόξας, καὶ τοὺς διεστραμμένους κανόνας: ἐμὲ 
A ’ 7, ‘ ~ , 9 ~ 5" 
δὲ ἐφέτω τὴν φυσικῶς κυρίαν ἐμαντῆς ἀνεν- 
Η A 18 χ ἢ + 
oXAnTov καὶ ἀνύβριστον. Ὄντως ἐπιπολιορ- 
4 4 ~ 7 9 eo A , 
κητὴν ἔχω τοιοῦτον, οὐχ᾽ οἷον σὺ, Aama, 
‘ U > “ 
Δημήτριον. My yap ἐστι σωφρονῆσαι διὰ 


‘ 4 “ x ‘ / 
τὸν ἄνθρωπον τοῦτον: Kat σωκρατίζειν 


ere 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 74 


Il. 
LEONTIUM TO LAMIA. 


No one is so hard to please, it seems 
to me, as an old man who plays the 
youth. How strangely this Epicurus 
treats me, always finding fault, suspicious 
of everything, sending me letters that I 
cannot make out, even threatening to drive 
me out of his garden. By Venus! if he 
were an Adonis eighty years old, I could 
not endure him, full of vermin as he is, and 
always unwell, wrapped up in garments 
of raw wool instead of felt. How long can 
anyone endure a man like this philoso- 
pher? Let him stick to his doctrines 
about nature, and his perverted canons, 
but let him allow me to enjoy my natural 
freedom without his insults or annoy- 
ance. I have a regular besieger, Lamia, 
but not one like your Demetrius. How 
can one be patient with such a man? 


4 


75 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOZ 


4A , A 
καὶ στωμυλεύεσθαι θελει καὶ εἰρωνεύεσθαι: 
4 r , ἢ 4 
καὶ ᾿Αλκιβιάδην τινὰ Τ]υθοκλέα νομίζει, καὶ 
, >. A » 4 , 
RavOlrmny ἐμὲ οἴεται ποιήσειν. Kat πέρας 
> la ε , “ ‘ “~ , 
ἀναστᾶσα ὁπήποτε γῆν πρὸ γῆς pevEouat 
ἴω «ἵ + ‘ nm , 
μᾶλλον ἢ τὰς ἐπιστολὰς αὐτοῦ τὰς διασπασ- 
oO a \ ’ ’ 
τοὺς ἀνέξομαι. “O δὲ παντῶν δεινότατον 
ey CRS, , ᾽ εν o 
ἤδη καὶ ἀφορητότατον ἐτόλμησεν, ὑπὲρ οὗ 
A , a ’ 
καὶ γνώμην βουλομένη λαβεῖν, τί μοι ποιη- 
, r , , \ x 
τέον, ἐπέσταλκα σοι. ίμαρχον τὸν καλὸν 
᾿ , : 5 “ x 
οἶσθα τὸν ἸΚηφισιάθεν: οὐκ ἀρνοῦμαι πρὸς 
\ , " “3 a? > a“ 
TOV νεανίσκον οὐκ οἰκείως ἔχειν ἐκ πολλοῦ 
Ἁ , ° ~ 4 9/9 4 , 
(πρὸς σέ μοι τἀληθῆ λέγειν etkos, Λαμια), 
A ‘ , 3 
καὶ τὴν πρώτην ᾿Αφροδίτην ἔμαθον παρ᾽ 
? a , Ὁ , 5» 
αὐτοῦ σχεδόν: οὗτος γὰρ με διεπαρθένευσεν ἐκ 
, 9 “ ΕῚ ᾽ , ~ , 
γειτόνων οἰκοῦσαν. "K€ ἐκείνου τοῦ χρόνου 
’ 9 . , ᾽ , 
TavTa μοι τἀγαθὰ πέμπων ov διαλέλοιτπεν, 
Ε] “ a , , 
ἐσθῆτα, χρυσεῖα, θεραπαίνας, θεράποντας, 
4 , y+ “- 9 
Ἰνδοὺς, Ἶνδας: τᾶλλα σιωπῶ: ἀλλὰ τὰ μικρό- 
, Y Cd ee A 
Tata προλαμβάνει Tas ὥρας, Wa μηδεὶς 


, , ~ ~ 4 
φθάσῃ με γευσάμενος. Τοιοῦτον νῦν ἐραστὴν 





δὲν. ν τ ee Φ- ....σ 








LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 75 


He tries to play the part of Socrates, to 
imitate him in his mouthing and his 
irony; he looks upon Pythocles as another 
Alcibiades, and thinks to make of me 
his Xantippe. I shall in the end be 
obliged to remove from here, and will flee 
from one country to another, rather than 
put up with his incoherent letters. But 
about the most monstrous and intolerable 
thing that he has had the audacity to 
do, I have written already to ask your ad- 
vice. You know the handsome Timarchus 
from Cephisus: I do not deny that I have 
been intimate with the young man for a 
long time—it is only right to tell the 
truth to you, Lamia—it is to him that 
I owe almost my first acquaintance with 
the goddess of Love, for he seduced me 
when I lived in his neighbourhood. Ever 
since then he has continually sent me 
all kinds of presents, clothes, money, 
Indian male and female slaves, and other 
things, which I need not mention. In 
the smallest trifles he anticipates the 
seasons, that no one may taste their 
delicacies before myself. Yet Epicurus 


76 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOZ 


we] , 4 4 , 
ἀπόκλεισον, φησι, Kal μὴ προσίτω σοι, 
, -“ 9 Ἁ 5" a“ Pee ς 
ποίοις δοκεῖς αὐτὸν ἀποκαλῶν ὀνόμασιν, 
οὔτε ὡς ᾿Αττικὸς, οὔτε ὡς φιλόσοφος, ἐκ 
-“ ε , 
Καππαδοκίας πρῶτος εἰς τὴν “Ελλάδα ἥκων. 
Ἐγὼ δὲ, εἰ καὶ ὅλη γένοιτο ἡ ᾿Αθηναίων 
πόλις ᾿Επικούρων, μὰ τὴν ὕλρτεμιν, οὐ 
τ τῇ ; 
ζυγοστατήσω πάντας αὐτοὺς πρὸς τὸν 
, , ~ ‘ ‘ 
Τιμάρχου βραχίονα, μᾶλλον δὲ οὐδὲ πρὸς 
, ‘ , , 
τὸν δάκτυλον. Τί σὺ λέγεις, Λάμια, οὐκ 
a “ .) U 
ἀληθῆ ταῦτα, ov δίκαια φημί; Kat μὴ δὴ, 
Ἃ, “ , 
δέομαί σου πρὸς τῆς ᾿Αφροδίτης, μή σοι 
ταῦτα ὑπελθέτω. ἀλλὰ φιλόσοφος, ἀλλὰ 
A a , 
ἐπιφανὴς, ἀλλὰ πολλοῖς φίλοις κεχρημένος. 
Λαβέτω, κατεχέτω, διδασκέτω δ᾽ ἄλλους: ἐμὲ 
A , li 
δὲ οὐδὲν θάλπει τι δόξα: ἄλλ᾽ ὃν θέλω δὸς 
Τίμαρχον, Aaparep. ᾿Αλλὰ καὶ δι᾽ ἐμὲ 
, , 
πάντα ἠνάγκασται ὁ νεανίσκος καταλιπὼν 
A / A A e ~ , 4 A 
τὸ Λύκειον, καὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ νεότητα Kal τοὺς 
, 4 A e , 5 ᾿] nw 
συνεφήβους Kat τὴν ἑταιρίαν, μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ 
a ‘ , ἈΝ \ Ἢ ‘ 
ζῆν Kat κολακεύειν avTov, καὶ καθυμνεῖν τὰς 
9 “-“ ς > 
ὑπηνέμους αὐτοῦ δόξας. Ὁ ᾿Ατρεὺς οὗτος, 


ἔξελθε, φησὶν ἐκ, τῆς ἐμῆς μοναγρίας, καὶ 


«untae ἐν τ 


a ee ee ee 


ae ee 


+ ee Ln 
ee ee ae ee 








LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 76 


tells me to shut my door upon him, and 
not let him come near me, calling him 
by all sorts of names, which you would 
not expect to hear from an Athenian or 
a philosopher, but from some Cappado- 
cian on his first visit to Hellas: But, 
if Athens were inhabited entirely by such 
as Epicurus, by Diana! they could not, 
in my estimation, be compared to Timar- 
chus’s arm—no, not even to one of his 
fingers. What do you think, Lamia? 
Is not what I say just and true? Do 
not ever imagine such a thing, I entreat 
you by Venus. Yet this Epicurus is a 
philosopher, a man of distinction, a man 
who has many friends! Let him take 
and keep and teach others: reputation 
has no charms for me; but, O Ceres! 
give me him whom I love—Timarchus. 
All through me the youth has been 
forced to leave the Lyceum, his youthful 
pleasures, and the companionship of his 
friends, and to live with Epicurus, to 
flatter him, and to praise his windbag 
doctrines. ‘‘No poaching on my pre- 
serves,” exclaims this Atreus; ‘‘do not go 


77  AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


4 , 4) A , . ς ᾽ ὃ , 
My προσισι EOVT LO Wo ον t{KALOTEPOV 


? ’ > - x 4 Ἂ 4 , Ἂν 
€KELVOU EPOvvTOS, TU MEV οὐν μῆ πρόσιθι NG) Ge 


ς A ve ι r n >? \ 
ἐμῃ. Kat ὁ μὲν, νεανίσκος ὧν, ἀνέχεται τὸν 
[2 9 A , e ‘ \ , 
ἕτερον ἀντεραστὴν yepovTa ὁ δὲ τὸν δικαιὸ- 
3 cs / / , Ἁ “ 
τερον οὐχ ὑπομένε. Ti ποιήσω, πρὸς τῶν 
~ ξ , , Ἂν 4 ee , 
θεῶν ἱκετεύω.σε, Λαμια; Νὴ τὰ μυστήρια, 
\ A ‘ae a A “ A e 
wy THY τούτων τῶν κακῶν ἀπαλλαγὴν, ὡς 
5» “π᾿ “΄“΄-- ’ A \ 
ἐνθυμηθεῖσα τοῦ Τιμάρχου τὸν χωρισμὸν, 
ld 9. 4 ~ + A 
ἄρτι ἀπέψυγμαι καὶ ἱδρὼ τὰ ἄκρα, Kat 
ε ea eee. , , 
ἡ καρδία μουν ἀνέστραπται. Aéoual cov, 
, ‘y ‘ e of ey 7 , ᾿ 
δέξαι με πρὸς σεαυτὴν ἡμέρας ὁλίγας: καὶ 
, A > t , - , 
ποιήσω τοῦτον αἰσθάνεσθαι, πηλίκων ἀπή- 
λαυεν ἀγαθῶν, ἔ ἐν τῇ οἰκί O 
avev ἀγαθῶν, ἔχων ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ με. υκ 
A , ‘ , ἊΝ “- 
ἔτι φέρει τὸν κόρον, εὖ oida πρεσβευτὰς 
Lan! \ lal , , 
εὐθὺς πρὸς ἡμᾶς διαπέμψεται Μητρόδωρον 
εν. 4 , r 
καὶ “Kpuaxov καὶ ἸΤολύαινον. Ποσάκις οἴει 
, ‘ >] ‘ sa7 / 
με, Aaya, πρὸς αὐτὸν ἰδίᾳ παραγενομένην 
9 - , -“ , ’ > 
εἰπεῖν: Tt ποιεῖς ᾿Ε'πίκουρε; οὐκ οἶσθα, ὅτι 
- , A 
διακωμωδεῖ σε Τιμοκράτης ὁ Μητροδόρου ἐπὶ 
7 9 - 9 , 9 - , 
τούτοις ἐν ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις, ἐν τοῖς θεάτροις, 


παρὰ τοῖς ἄλλοις σοφισταῖς : ᾿Αλλὰ τί 














LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 77 


near my Leontium’”; as if Timarchus 
had not a far better right to say, ‘‘ Do 
you keep your hands off mine.” But he, 
although the younger, submits to an older 
rival, while the other will not endure 
him who has the juster claim. What 
am I to do, Lamia? Tell me, I beseech 
you, by the gods! By the sacred mys- 
teries, by my hopes of relief from my 
misery, when I think of being separated 
from Timarchus, I grow now cold, now 
hot, in my extremities, and my heart 
is quite upset. I beseech you, let me 
come and stay with you for a few days, 
and I will make him feel what blessings 
he enjoyed when he had me in his house. 
I am sure he cannot long endure my 
contempt; he will soon send me one 
messenger after another, Metrodorus, 
Hermachus, and Polyaenus. How often 
do you think I have said to him pri- 
vately, ‘‘ What are you doing, Epicurus ἢ 
Do you not know that Timocrates, the 
son of Metrodorus, ridicules you for your 
conduct in the assemblies, in the theatres, 
in the company of the other sophists?” . 


78  AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


ἐστιν αὐτῷ ποιῆσαι ; ἀναίσχυντός ἐστι TO 
ὅσες ἢ Δ Δ ἢ TE tee e t ΕΣ ἐπὶ. 
ee Kai it ἔσομαι τοίνυν ὁμοιῶς: αὐτῷ 
ἀναίσχυντος, . καὶ οὐκ ἀφήσω τὸν anne pi 
μάρχον. fesse THY 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 78 


But what can you do with a man like 
this? He is utterly shameless in his 
love. I will be equally shameless: I will 
not desert my Timarchus. Farewell. 


79 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


ΠῚ. 
Μένανδρος Τλυκέρᾳ. 


\ , 
"Eyo μὰ τὰς ᾿Βλευσινίας θεὰς, μὰ τὰ 
5 sell og 4 τ ’ ᾽ 
μυστήρια αὑτῶν, ἅ σοι καὶ ἐναντίον ὥμοσα 
4 , , 7 at 
πολλάκις, Τλυκέρα, μόνος μόνῃ, ὡς οὐδὲν 
’ , ἡ τον τὶν οἱ , , , 
ἐπαίρω τὰ eua οὐδὲ βουλόμενός σου χωρί- 
a \ , \ , 
ζεσθαι, ταῦτα καὶ λέγω καὶ γράφω. Ti γὰρ 
erie ’ , oak? “ Σ ’ . 
ἐμοὶ χωρὶς cov γενοιτ᾽ ἂν ἥδιον; τί ὃ 
~ a “" - , Ul 
ἐπαρθῆναι μεῖζον τῆς σῆς φιλίας δυναίμην ; 
" A , » CoA ~ 4 ᾿ ι 
εἰ καὶ τὸ ἔσχατον ἡμῶν γῆρας διὰ τοὺς σοὺς 
, Ay ’ δ. “ ; 
τρόπους καὶ ἤθη νεότης ἀεὶ φανεῖταί μοι. 
‘ ’ 9 , . Ud 
Καὶ συννεάσαιμεν ἀλλήλοις καὶ cvyynpacat- 
A 4 \ A , 9 
μεν, καὶ vy τοὺς θεοὺς συναποθανοιμεν: ἀλλ᾽ 
9 / o / 
αἰσθανόμενοι, Τ'λυκέρα, ὅτι συναποθνήσκομεν, 
e / ιν ? 4 , A 
ἵνα μηδετέρῳ ἡμῶν ev ἅδον συγκαταβαίη Tis 
~ ων + ‘ , 
ζῆλος, εἰ τινῶν ἄλλων ὁ σωθεὶς πειράσεται 
ς “ A A , , “ “. 
ἀγαθῶν. Μὴ de γένοιτό μοι πειραθῆναι σοῦ 


δι » 7 Xu nn oS / 
μηκετ᾽ οὐσης TL γὰρ ἂν ert καταλείποιτο 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 79 


III. 
MENANDER TO GLYCERA. 


By the Eleusinian goddesses and their 
mysteries, by which I have often sworn 
in your company alone, dear Glycera, I 
swear that, in making this declaration in 
writing, I have no wish to exalt myself, 
or to separate from you. For what 
pleasure could I enjoy apart from you? 
in what could I take more pride than in 
your friendship? Thanks to your manners 
and disposition, even extreme old age 
shall seem youth to me. Let us be 
young and old together, and, by the 
gods, let us be together in death, under- 
standing that we die together, that jealousy 
may not go down with either of us to the 
grave, in case the survivor may enjoy 
any other blessings. May it never be my 
misfortune to see you die before me; 
for then, what enjoyment would be left 


80 AAKI@PONOY PHTOPOX 


A nw o 
ἀγαθόν; ἽὝ δὲ νῦν ἤπειξέ με ev ἹΠειραιεῖ 
: > , 
μαλακιζόμενον (οἶσθα yap μου τὰς συνήθεις 
e ‘ la , 
ἀσθενείας, ἃς of μὴ φιλοῦντές μὲ τρυφὰς 
’ a a 
καὶ σαλακωνίας καλεῖν εἰώθασιν) ἐπιστεῖλαί 
Ε ᾽ὔ e “ -“ ΄“- 
σοι ἐν ἄστει μενούσῃ διὰ τὰ ᾿Αλῶα τῆς θεοῦ, 
a , , 
ταῦτ᾽ ἐστί. ᾿Ἐδεξαμην ἀπὸ Πτολεμαίου 
“- . , U 
τοῦ βασιλέως Αἰγύπτου γράμματα, ἐν οἷς 
- , , 4A 
δεῖταί μου πάσας δεήσεις, Kal προτρέπεται 
“ ε ’ ‘ ‘ / 
βασιλικῶς ὑπισχνούμενος τὸ δὴ λεγόμενον 
΄- 4« ~ ~ “" Α > a ‘ , 
τοῦτο τὰ τῆς γῆς ἀγαθὰ, eue καὶ Φιλήμονα: 
A i 9 ’ , ’ , 
καὶ γὰρ ἐκείνῳ γράμματα κεκομίσθαι φασί: 
> ‘ A 
καὶ αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Φιλήμων ἐπέστειλέ μοι τὰ 
ω ’ Ν > , 
ἴδια δηλῶν, ἐλαφρότερα, καὶ, ws ov Μενάνδρῳ 
, ios , 
γεγραμμένα, ἧττον λαμπρα. ᾿Αλλ᾽ ὄψεται 
, τ 
καὶ βουλεύσεται τὰ ἴδια οὗτος. ᾿Εγὼ δὲ οὐ 
A 7 “3 
περιμενῶῷ βουλας: ἀλλὰ σύ μοι, Γλυκέρα, καὶ 
’ὔ A , 
γνώμη, καὶ ᾿Αρεοπαγίτις βουλὴ, καὶ ᾿ Ἡλιαία, 
A \ Ἁ 9 he , , A wn 
ἅπαντα νὴ τὴν ᾿Αθηνᾶν ἀεὶ γέγονας, καὶ νῦν 
» ᾿ > 9 aA 
ἔσῃ. Τὰς μὲν οὖν ἐπιστολὰς Tov βασιλέως σοι 
΄ ef , - 
διεπεμψαμην, ἵνα μὴ κόπτω σε δὶς καὶ τοῖς 
- 4A ~ e , 
ἐμοῖς καὶ τοῖς ἐκείνου γράμμασιν ἐντυγχά- 


et ‘ > , , A »” , 
νουσαν ἃ ode ἐπιστέλλειν αὐτῷ ἔγνωκα, 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 80 


for me? I am staying in Piraeus owing 
to my ill-health; you know my usual ail- 
ments, which those who are not fond of 
me call effeminacy and affectation. The 
reasons which have induced me to write 
to you, while you are staying in the city 
for the sacred festival of Ceres, the Haloa, 
are the following: I have received a letter 
from Ptolemy, King of Egypt, in which 
he entreats me, promising me right royally 
all the good things of the earth, and 
invites me to visit’ him, together with 
Philemon, to whom also, they say, a letter 
has been sent. In fact, Philemon has 
sent it on to me: it is to the same effect as 
mine, but not so ceremonious or splendid 
in the promises it holds out, since it is 
not written to Menander. Let him con- 
sider and take counsel what he intends 
to do; but I will not wait for his advice, 
for you, my Glycera,-are my counsel, 
my Areopagus, my Heliaea, yea, by 
Minerva, you have ever been, and shall 
ever be my all. So then I have sent 
you the King’s letter; but, to spare 
you the double trouble of reading my 


letter and his, I wish you also to know 
II 


81 AAKI®PONOZX PHTOPOZ 


, la sas -“ A A ς 
βούλομαί σε εἰδένα. Tre μὲν καὶ εἰς 
“ 2 , \ " 
Αἴγυπτον ἀπιέναι μακρὰν οὕτω καὶ ἀπῳ- 
, , > ι , 
κισμένην βασιλείαν οὖσαν, μὰ τοὺς δώδεκα 
4 X at 9 Cal 5 2 al 5" 
θεοὺς, οὐδὲ ἐνθυμοῦμαι ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ εἰ ἐν 
,“ , ee , 4 ΕΝ 
Αἰγίνῃ ταύτῃ γε τῇ πλησίον ἔκειτο Αἴγυπτος, 
> 3 geek + 9 \ A oS 
οὐδ᾽ οὕτως ἐν vw ἂν ἔσχον, ἀφεὶς THY ἐμὴν 
ld “" ~ , , > , 
βασιλείαν τῆς σῆς φιλίας, μόνος ἐν τοσούτῳ 
4 ’ ‘ / 
ὄχλῳ Αἰγυπτίων χωρὶς Τλυκέρας ἐρημίαν 
“ cw ce %.5 8 
πολυανθρωπον ὁρᾶν. “Ἥδιον γὰρ καὶ ἀκιν- 
’ J ’ ~ ΑΙ , 
δυνότερον Tas σὰς θεραπεύω μᾶλλον ἀγκάλας, 
“ἃ ᾿ ε , ~ ~ 4 , 

ἢ τὰς ἁπάντων τῶν σατραπῶν καὶ βασιλέων. 
, A > ἢ + 
᾿Επικίνδυνον μὲν οὖν TO ἀνελεύθερον, εὐκατα- 

, 4 \ ΄“ + \ ‘ 
φρόνητον δὲ TO κολακεῦον, ἄπιστον de TO 
> “ες A A 4 5 , 
εὐτυχοῦν. “Hyw de. καὶ τὰς Θηρικλείους, Kat 
A 4 ‘ ; A U 
τὰ καρχήσια, καὶ Tas χρυσίδας καὶ πάντα 
4A + ΄ 9 - 9 7 4A , 
τὰ ev ταῖς αὐλαῖς ἐπίφθονα παρὰ τούτοις 
ο A , ~ V4 ΄“ 
ἀγαθὰ φυόμενα, τῶν κατ᾽ ἔτος Χοῶν καὶ 
A Ε] a , ’ A ~ ~ 
τῶν ἐν τοῖς θεάτροις Anvaiwy καὶ τῆς χθιζῆς 
e , ‘ “A “ , , A 
ὁμιλίας, καὶ τῶν τοῦ Λυκείου γυμνασίων, καὶ 
A nw 5 , ° ᾿] , 4 
τῆς ἱερᾶς ᾿Ακαδημίας, οὐκ ἀλλάττομαι, μὰ 
‘ ’ A A A > “ 
τὸν Διόνυσον καὶ τοὺς Βακχικοὺς αὐτοῦ κισ- 


σοὺς, οἷς στεφανωθῆναι μᾶλλον ἢ τοῖς Πτο- 


lr 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 81 


what answer I haye decided to make to 
it. By the twelve great gods, I could 
not even think of setting sail for Egypt, 
a kingdom so far remote from us; but, 
not even if Egypt were in Aegina, close 
at hand as it is, I could not even then 
think of leaving my kingdom of your 
friendship, and wandering alone in the 
midst of the crowded inhabitants of 
Egypt, looking upon a populous desert, 
as it would seem to me without my 
Glycera. I prefer your embraces, which 
are sweeter and less dangerous than the 
favours of all the kings and satraps. Loss 
of liberty is loss of security; flattery is 
contemptible: the favours of Fortune are 
not to be trusted. 

I would not exchange for his Theri- 
clean drinking-cups, his beakers, his 
golden goblets, and all the envied valu- 
ables of his courts, our yearly Choes, 
the Lenaea in the theatre, a banquet 
such as we had yesterday, the exercises 
in the Lyceum and the Sacred Academy 
—no, I swear it by Bacchus and his ivy- 
wreaths, with which I would rather be 

Li-=2 


82 AAKI®PONOX PHTOPOX 


, e ’ A 
λεμαίου βούλομαι ᾿ διαδήμασιν, ὁρώσης Kat 
, ’ ~ / , “ A 
καθημένης ἐν τῷ θεάτρῳ Τλυκέρας. lot yap 
a4 , ‘ A 
ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ ὄψομαι ἐκκλησίαν καὶ Wiadov 
5 , “ A ‘ +S 
ἀναδιδομένην; ποῦ δὲ δημοκρατικὸν ὄχλον 
e ͵ -- A , 
οὕτως ἐλευθερίαζοντα; ποῦ δὲ θεσμοθέτας 
- -“ , - 
ἐν ταῖς ἱεραῖς κώμαις κεκισσωμένους ; ποῖον 
, ὃ , “ ; r , 
περισχοίνισμα; ποίαν αἵρεσιν; ποίους Xv- 
\ 3 ‘ , 1 
tpovs; Kepapixoy, ayopay, δικαστήρια, τὴν 
A J , A A A A , 
καλὴν ἀκρόπολιν, Tas σεμνὰς θεὰς, τὰ μυστή- 
J A - A , 
pia, τὴν γειτνιῶσαν Σαλαμῖνα, Ta στήνια, 
A , A “ ed a 
τὴν Ψυτταλίαν, τὴν Μαραθῶνα, ὅλην ἐν ταῖς 
4 ¢ U vA A ’. ‘ 
᾿Αθήναις τὴν “EAAada, ὅλην τὴν *lwviay, Tas 
, , \ ~ A 
Κυκλάδας πάσας ; ᾿Αφεὶς ταῦτα καὶ Ἰ'λυκέ- 
.] ~ 9 4 , 
ραν μετ᾽ αὐτῶν, εἰς Αἴγυπτον διέλθω; χρυσὸν 
a A + ‘ “»Ἔ Ὁ 
λαβεῖν καὶ ἄργυρον καὶ πλοῦτον; ᾧ μετὰ 
’ 3 \ , na 
τίνος χρήσομαι; μετὰ 'λυκέρας τοσοῦτον 
3 , 
διατεθαλασσευμένης; ov πενία δέ μοι ἔσται 
4 0..~ ~ . ops a hes , ι 
χωρὶς αὐτῆς ταῦτα; “Hay δὲ ἀκούσω τοὺς 
‘ 4 9 + > A , 
σεμνοὺς ἔρωτας εἰς ἄλλον αὐτὴν μετατεθεικέ- 
> , , ς Ν 
ναι, ov σποδός μοι πάντες οἱ θησαυροὶ 


, . Aby 29 , A x , 
γενήσονται Kat ἀποθνήσκων τὰς μὲν λύπας 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 82 


crowned, in the presence of my Glycera 
- seated in the theatre, than with all the 
diadems of Ptolemy. For where in Egypt 
shall I see a public assembly and votes 
being given? where shall I see a demo- 
cracy enjoying liberty? the legislators in 
the sacred villages crowned with ivy ἢ the 
roped inclosure? the election of magis- 
trates ? the feast of Pots ? the Ceramicus ? 
the market-place? the law-courts? the 
beautiful Acropolis ? the dread goddesses ? 
the mysteries? the Stenia? neighbouring 
Salamis, Psyttalia, Marathon, all Greece 
in Athens, all Ionia, all the Cyclades? 
Shall I leave all these, and Glycera as 
well, and set out for Egypt? And for 
what? to receive gold and silver and 
riches? And with whom am I to enjoy 
it? with Glycera separated from me by 
so wide an expanse of sea? Will not all 
this be simple poverty to me without her? 
And should I hear that she has trans- 
ferred her honoured affections to another, 
will not all these treasures be to me no 
more than dust and ashes? and, when I 
die, shall I not carry away with me my 


83 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOZ 


΄“ , a 
ἐμαυτῷ συναποίσω, τὰ δὲ χρήματα τοῖς 
» , ° a 9 , ' SANG. , 
ἰχνεύουσιν ἀδικεῖν ἐν μέσῳ κείσεται ; ἢ μέγα 

Χ σ΄. , A , 4 

τὸ συμβιοῦν ἸἹΪτολεμαίῳ καὶ σατράπαις καὶ 

/ , “Ὁ » A ‘ , 

τοιούτοις ψγόφοις, ὧν οὔτε TO φιλικὸν βέ- 

‘ “ ᾿ς 

βαιον, οὔτε τὸ διεχθρεῦον ἀκίνδυνον ; ᾽Εὰν 
Ε a , e ? 

δὲ ὀργισθῃῇ τί μοι Ἰλυκέρα, ἅπαξ αὐτὴν 
e 4 , + 9 , ~ 

ἁρπάξας Katepiryoa ἂν ἔτι ὀργίζεται, μᾶλ- 

3 > Ud , 3, 
λον αὑτὴν ἐβιασάμην: κἂν βαρυθύμως ἔχῃ, 

, 4 ‘ a“ 3 ? NA ¢ , 
δεδακρυκα' καὶ πρὸς ταῦτ᾽ οὐκ ἔθ᾽ ὑπομείνασα 
A . Α , - 4 + , 
Tas ἐμὰς λύπας δεῖται AOLTOY, οὔτε στρατιώ- 
9, 7 , + , 
Tas ἔχουσα οὔτε δορυφόρους οὔτε φύλακας: 
7 A 1 "αἴ, 7 , sn , 4 
εγὼ yap αὑτῆς ej wavra. ἊἪ μέγα καὶ 
A 9 -“ Ἁ Ἁ nw ° 
θαυμαστὸν ἰδεῖν τὸν καλὸν Νεῖλον ; ov μέγα 
A Ἁ by] , ο δὰ Ἐκ, 9 , 4 A 
kat Tov Kudparny ἰδεῖν; ov μέγα καὶ τὸν 
Κ᾿ ν 5 “ , ‘ e , e 
Iorpov; ov τῶν μεγάλων καὶ ὁ Θερμώδων, ὁ 
, ἢ 2 48 ~ . ἢ , , 
Τίψρις, ὁ ἽΛλυς, ὁ Ῥῆνος; Et μέλλω πάντας 
Ἁ A ΄σ΄ , 
Tous ποταμοὺς ὁρᾶν, καταβαπτισθήσεταί μοι 
XN ~ A , , ς “" 
τὸ ζῆν, μὴ βλέποντι Γλυκέραν. Ὃ δὲ Νεῖλος 
“Ὁ , ΠῚ Ἁ 5 3 ’ 
οὗτος καίπερ ὧν καλος, ἀλλ᾽ ἀποτεθηρίωται: 
A 5 » ΒΥ - > nw “ 
καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν οὔτε προσελθεῖν αὐτοῦ ταῖς 
r 9 , an - ᾿ 
δίναις ἐλλοχωμένου τοσοῦτοις κακοῖς. "Kot 


γένοιτο, βασιλεῦ ΠΠτολεμαῖε, τὸν ᾿Αττικὸν 





% 
LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 83 


sorrows to the grave, and leave my 
riches a prey to those who are ever on 
the watch to seize them? Is it so great 
an honour to live with Ptolemy and his 
satraps and others with like idle names, 
whose friendship is not to be trusted, 
and whose enmity is dangerous? If 
Glycera is angry with me, I clasp her in 
my arms and snatch a kiss; if she is still 
angry, I press her further, and, if she is 
indignant, I shed tears; then she can no 
longer resist my grief, but entreats me in 
her turn; for she has neither g6oldiers, 
nor spearmen, nor body-guards, but I am 
all in all to her. Is it so great and 
wonderful a thing to see the noble Nile? 
Are not the Euphrates, the Danube, the 
Thermodon, the Tigris, the Halys, and 
the Rhine equally deserving of admira- 
tion? If I had to visit all the rivers in the 
world, my life would be utterly swamped, 
unless I saw my Glycera. And this 
Nile, though a beautiful river, is full of 
savage monsters; and it is impossible to 
approach its streams, in which so many dan- 
gers lie concealed. May it be my lot, King 


84 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOD 


9-4 , , ᾽ A , , 
altel στέφεσθαι κισσόν' ἐμοὶ γένοιτο χώματος 
A , , ΄ \ ‘ a | 
καὶ Tapov πατρῴου τυχεῖν, Kal τὸν ἐπ 
9 U ε “ 9 δ΄ , Α 
ἐσχάρας ὑμνῆσαι κατ᾽ ἔτος Διόνυσον τὰς 
/ x , a 
μυστηριώτιδας ἄγειν τελετὰς: δραματουργεῖν 
\ - > , ’ ἊΝ 
τι καινὸν ταῖς ἐτησίαις θυμελαις δρᾶμα, γε- 
a A , . vas ~ 4 , 
λῶντα καὶ χαίροντα καὶ ἀγωνιῶντα καὶ φοβού- 
Α A , ny ? / 
μενον καὶ νικῶντα. Φιλήμων δὲ evTVXELTH 
‘A 4 5 ΠῚ , > ᾿ , 5 
τἀμὰ ἀγαθὰ, γενόμενος ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ. Οὐκ 
, ; > + 3 
ἔχει Φιλήμων ἸΤ'λυκέραν τινα: οὐδὲ ἄξιος ἣν 
δ “. , “5 a \ 9 la) 
ἴσως τοῦ τοιούτου ἀγαθοῦ. Σὺ δὲ ἐκ τῶν 
e , , , 3 \ , 
Λλώων δέομαι, Ἰλυκέριον, εὐθὺς πετομένη 
Ἁ ee : et “ . , , 
πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἐπὶ τῆς ἀστράβης pépov. Μακρο- 
, e \ 594.) + PON 59 
τέραν ἑορτὴν οὐδέποτε ἔγνων, οὐδὲ akatpo- 


τέραν. Δήμητερ, ἵλεως γενοῦ, 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 84 


Ptolemy, ever to be crowned with Attic 
ivy! to die and be buried in my own 
native land, and to join every year in the 
Dionysiac hymns at the altars! to be 
initiated into the mystic rites, to produce 
a new play every year upon the stage, 
now laughing and rejoicing, now in fear 
and trembling, and now victorious! Let 
Philemon go to Egypt and enjoy the 
happiness that is promised to me, for 
Philemon has no Glycera; perhaps he 
does not deserve such a blessing. And 
do you, my dear Glycera, I beseech you, 
immediately after the Haloan festival, 
mount your mule and fly to me. I have 
never known a festival that seemed to 
last longer, or one more ill-timed. O 
Ceres, be propitious ! 


85 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


IV. 
Γλυκέρα Μενάνδρῳ. 


¢ , ~ , 4 * 
Qs διεπέμψψω μοι τοῦ βασιλέως τὰς ἐπι- 
A Δ 1 τὰ Ν " ’ 
στολας, εὐθὺς ἀνέγνω. Ma τὴν ἸΚαλλιγέ- 
9 a “A 9A ὃ , 4 
νειαν, ἐν ἧς νῦν εἰμὶ, κατέχαιρον, Μένανδρε, 
93 A Βα e ~ , A Ἂν, , 
ἐκπαθὴς ὑφ᾽ ἡδονῆς γινομένη, Kat Tas παρού- 
° 9 , 3 4 ud Ud 
cas οὐκ ἐλανθανον ἦν δὲ ἥ τε μήτηρ μου 
A «ς , ° ‘ , , \ A“ 
καὶ ἡ ἑτέρα ἀδελφὴ Evdopiov, καὶ τῶν 
, τι 3 \ Ν Ri iog SB , 
φίλων ἣν οἶσθα, καὶ παρὰ cot ᾿ἐδείπνησε 
, 4 9 Ul , ARE: A 9 ’ 
πολλάκις, καὶ ἐπῃνεις αὐτῆς τὸν ἐπιχώριον 
η ‘ ’ e , a «A > 
ἀττικισμὸν, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς φοβούμενος αὐτὴν ἐπαι- 
“ ow 4 , ’ , 
νεῖν, ὅτε καὶ μειδιάσασα θερμότερόν σε 
, ὦ , , , 
κατεφίλησα. Οὐ μέμνησαι, Mevavdpe; Θεασα- 
, A \ 3 \ A *y ’ 
μεναι δὲ με παρὰ τὸ εἰωθὸς καὶ τῷ προσώπῳ 
‘ a 9 ~ , oy , 
καὶ τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς χαίρουσαν, ὦ Ἰ'λυκέριον, 
9») , ~~ ; % A 
ἤροντο, τί σοι τηλικοῦτον γέγονεν ἀγαθὸν, 
oe A nl A , A “~ 9 
OTL καὶ ψυχῇ καὶ σώματι καὶ πᾶσιν ἀλλοιο- 


, a 4 4 \ ~ , 
τέρα νὺυν πεῴηνας, καὶ TO σῶμα Yyeyavwoa 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 85 


IV. 
GLYCERA TO MENANDER. 


As soon as I received the King’s 
letter, I read it. By the glorious Mother, 
in whose temple I now stand, I rejoiced 
exceedingly, Menander, being mad with 
joy, which I could not conceal from my 
companions. There were with me my 
mother, my sister Euphorium, and one 
of my friends whom you know, who has 
often supped with you, and whose Attic 
dialect you so commended, but as if you 
were half afraid to praise her, whenever I 
smiled and kissed you more warmly. 
Don’t you remember, Menander dear? 
When they saw my unwonted joy in my 
face and my eyes, they asked me, ‘‘ What 
extraordinary good fortune has happened 
to you, dear Glycera? You seem altered 
in mind, in body, in everything. Joy 
beams over your person; cheerfulness 


86 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOX 


4 , bd , / 4 ? - 
kat διαλαμπεις ἐπίχαρτὸν τι καὶ εὐκταῖον. 
‘ , + ‘ ’ 4 « 5" ’ 
Kayo, Μένανδρον, ἔφην, τὸν ἐμὸν ὁ Αἰγύπτου 

‘ an , τα ἀν ε , ~ 
βασιλεὺς ἸΪτολεμαῖος ἐπὶ τῷ ἡμίσει τῆς 
’ , A 4 , 
βασιλείας τρόπον τινὰ μεταπέμπεται, μείζονι 
“ rat , 4 , “ 
τῇ φωνῇ φθεγξαμένη καὶ σφοδροτέρᾳ, ὅπως 
lanl “ ’ ΄-“ 4 ~ 
πᾶσαι ἀκούσωσιν ai παροῦσαι. Kai ταῦτα 
ΕΝ J 4 , 4 ~ - 
ἔλεγον ἐγὼ διατινάσσουσα καὶ σοβοῦσα ταῖς 
A 9 ~ A 9 A 4 ϑὼ Ἂν gd 
χερσίν ἐμαυτῆς τὴν ἐπιστολήν σὺν αὐτῇ TH 
“Ἄ Py , 3 . 
βασιλικῇ σφραγῖδι. Χαίροις οὖν ἀπολειπο- 
, ΚΙ ἊΝ A 9 co , 
μένη, ἔφρασαν; τὸ δὲ οὐκ ἦν, Mevavdpe. 
lal Α ? \ , A Ν 
᾿Αλλὰ τοῦτο μὲν οὐδενὶ τρόπῳ, μὰ τας 
A 5 49 5 “ \ , 
θεὰς, οὐδ᾽ εἰ βοῦς μοι τὸ λεγόμενον 
’ lj 4 , 
φθέγξαιτο, πεισθείην ἂν, ὅτι βουλήσεταί 
Ἂς, ἢ , 3 \ 
μὲ ποτε ἢ δυνήσεται Μένανδρος, ἀπολιπὼν 
5 / ‘ “ 
ἐν ᾿Αθήναις Τλυκέραν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ, μόνος ἐν 
, , , 4 , ~ 9. 
Αἰγύπτῳ βασιλεύειν μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἀγα- 
~ Ν A “ , ~ φ ~ 
θῶν. ᾿Αλλα Kat τοῦτό ye δῆλος ἐκ τῶν 
> A a > my e ‘ Ἦν σῦς 
ἐπιστολῶν, ὧν ἀνέγνων, ἣν ὁ βασιλεὺς τάμα 
, e l4 A ~ A ; 
πεπυσμένος, WS ἔοικε, περὶ σοῦ: καὶ ἀτρέμα 
« ρει ° , ’ .“. - 
dv’ ὑπονοιῶν Αἰγυπτίοις θέλων ἀστεϊσμοῖς 
, ’ A ~~ 
σε διατωθαζει. Χαίρω διὰ Tovro ὅτι 
’ \ 9 39 \ ἀκ e 
πεπλεύκασι καὶ εἰς Αἴγυπτον πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ 


ες» + ‘ ’ ᾽ 
ἡμέτεροι EPWTES, Και πείθεται πάντως, ἐξ 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 86 


and happy contentment pervade your 
whole being.” I told them, raising my 
voice and speaking louder, that all 
who were present might hear me: 
“Ptolemy, King of. Egypt, has invited 
my Menander to visit him, and _pro- 
mised him the half of his kingdom,” 
and, at the same time, in proof of this, 
I shook triumphantly in the air the mis- 
sive bearing the royal seal. ‘‘ Will you 
be glad if he leaves you?” they asked. 
Most certainly, dear Menander, that was 
not the reason, by all the goddesses. 
Even if an ox were to speak, to use the 
words of the proverb, I would never be- 
lieve that Menander would have the heart 
to leave his Glycera in Athens and reign 
alone in Egypt, in the midst of such 
grandeur. It was clear to me, besides, 
from the King’s letter, which I read, 
that he knew of our relations, and my 
affection for you. It seemed to me that 
he meant to banter you in a round- 
about way with Egyptian witticisms. I 
am delighted to think that the report of 
our love has crossed the sea. The King, 


87 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


“Ὁ 5»“.᾿ U ~ 
ὧν ἤκουσεν, ἀδύνατον σπουδαζειν, ἐπιθυμῶν 
‘ ° ‘ “ 
᾿Αθήνας πρὸς αὐτὸν διαβῆνα. Τί γὰρ 
“- A U A 
᾿Αθῆναι χωρὶς Mevavdpov; τί δὲ Μένανδρος 
\ TX , Ἔ v - gg » Ν 
χωρὶς Ἰλυκερας; ἥτις αὐτῷ καὶ τὰ προσω- 
πεῖα διασκευάζω, καὶ τὰς ἐσθῆτας ἐνδύω, 
“ - , 4 Ἁ , 
κἀν τοῖς προσκηνίοις ἕστηκα, τοὺς δακτύλους 
’ “ / ον Eh , Χ 
ἐμαυτῆς πιέζουσα, ff ἂν κροταλίσῃ τὸ 
, A / , ‘ \ » 
θέατρον καὶ τρέμουσα τότε νὴ THY” Αρτεμιν 
4 , , A A 
ἀναψύχω, καὶ περιβαλλουσὰ σε τὴν ἱερὰν 
~ ; ’ / \ 
τῶν δραμάτων ἐκείνην κεφαλὴν ἐναγκαλί- 
4 A , , 
Coua. ᾿Αλλ᾽ ὅτι ταῖς φίλαις τότε χαίρειν 
_ Os i) 7 v4 . 7 
ἔφην, τοῦτ᾽ jv, Μένανδρε, ὅτι οὐκ ἄρα 
/ , ° A - 
Γλυκέρα μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ βασιλεῖς ὑπὲρ 
0 ’ δὶ δι A ὃ , ~ 
ἀλασσαν ἐρῶσί σου, καὶ διαπόντιοι φῆμαι 
Α cy 9 ‘ , \ δ 
τὰς σὰς ἀρετὰς κατηγγέλκασι: καὶ Αἴγυ- 
x a A , ‘ ° , 
πτος καὶ Νεῖλος καὶ Upwrews τὰ ἀκρωτήρια, 
A ε , ἈΝ ’ , ~ 
καὶ at Papiat σκοπιαὶ, πάντα μετέωρα νῦν 
* , - / s ° an 
ἐστι βουλόμενα ἰδεῖν Μένανδρον, καὶ ἀκοῦ- 
4 ‘ 
σαι φιλαργύρων, καὶ ἐρώντων, καὶ δεισιδαι- 
, Sly ‘ , ‘ ἐᾷ 
μόνων, καὶ ἀπίστων, καὶ πατέρων, καὶ υἱῶν 


᾿ , ‘ \ 3 
και θεραπόντων, καὶ “παντὸς ἐνσκηνοβατου- 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 87 


from what he has been told, will see 
the utter uselessness of wishing Athens 
to be transported to Egypt. For what 
would Athens be without Menander ? 
What would Menander be without Gly- 
cera, who prepares his masks, puts on 
his costumes for him, and stands at the 
wings to give the signal for applause in 
the theatre, and to accompany it with 
her own?. Then, may Diana be my 
witness! I tremble, then I breathe again, 
and clasp you in my arms, the sacred 
fount of comedy. Need I tell you the 
reason of the joy I exhibited before my 
friends? It was simply the thought that 
not Glycera alone, but even distant 
monarchs love you, and that the fame 
of your merits has extended across the 
sea. Egypt, the Nile, the promontory 
of Proteus, the tower of Pharos, are all 
full of eager curiosity to behold Menander, 
and to hear the conversations of the 
misers, the lovers, the superstitious, the 
faithless, the fathers, the slaves—in 
short, all the characters that are intro- 
duced upon the stage. They may indeed 


88 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


, a “ , A " 4 ‘ 
μένου: ὧν ἀκούσονται μὲν, οὐκ ὄψονται δὲ 
A > + , 
Μένανδρον, εἰ μὴ ἐν ἄστει παρὰ Ἰλυκέρᾳ 
, ‘ 4 > 4 5 , ” x 
γένοιντο' καὶ THY ἐμὴν εὐδαιμονίαν Ἰδοιεν, TOY 
, Ἁ , ~ / ‘ 
πάντη διὰ τὸ κλέος αὐτοῦ Μένανδρον καὶ 
’ \ ’ ς Ἄ ‘ , 
νύκτωρ καὶ μεθ᾽ ἡμέραν ἐμοὶ περικείμενον. 
> 4 > ey + , Sn airs , 
Οὐ μὴν ἀλλ᾽ εἴγε ἄρα πόθος αἱρεῖ σέ τις 
4 ~ - » ~ 4 9 Ἁ + 
καὶ τῶν ἐκεῖ ἀγαθῶν, καὶ εἰ μηδενὸς ἄλλου, 
nn “ ,ὔ , , 4 
τῆς ye Αἰγύπτου, χρήματος μεγάλου Kat 
“A > 4 ἐν , \ A , 
τῶν αὐτόθι πυραμίδων, καὶ TOV περιηχούντων 
1] , A ~ Ul 
ἀγαλμάτων καὶ Tov περιβοήτου λαβυρώνθου, 
A -“ + “ 9 ‘ , a , 
καὶ τῶν ἄλλων, Oca ἀπὸ χρόνου ἢ τέχνης 
" 9 -“ Υ͂ , , 
παρ᾽ αὐτοῖς τίμια, deouat σου, Mevardpe, 
A , , - 
μὴ ποιήσῃ με πρόφασιν: μηδὲ με ᾿Αθηναῖοι 
, ΄“-ᾳ U A ’ 
διὰ ταῦτα μισησάτωσαν, ἤδη τοὺς μεδίμνους 
“΄ e ‘ “ , 
ἀριθμοῦντες, os ὁ βασιλεὺς αὐτοῖς πέμψει 
ς la » νὰ, “, a 
διὰ σέ ἀλλ᾽ ἄπιθι πᾶσι θεοῖς, ἀγαθῇ τύχῃ, 
“ , 4 \ Se, 9 Ἁ ’ 
δεξιοῖς πνεύμασι, Au οὐρίῳ, ἔγω yap σε οὐκ 
7 A ~ ’ ; 
ἀπολείψω: μὴ τοῦτο δόξῃς με λέγειν, οὐδ᾽ 
. , , ᾿] A «- 4 
αὑτὴ δύναμαι, κἂν θέλω: ἀλλὰ παρεῖσα τὴν 
, A 5 9 3 
μητέρα καὶ τὰς ἀδελφὰς αὐτὰς ἔσομαι 


, ~ ἷ 
συμπλέουσα σοι, καὶ σφόδρα τῶν εὐθαλασ- 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 88 


be able to hear your pieces, but those 
who wish to see the author in person 
will have to come to Athens to me: here 
they will be witnesses of my happiness 
in the possession of a man whose renown 
fills the universe, and who never quits 
my side by day or night. However, if 
the promised happiness which awaits you 
there has charms for you—at any rate, 
magnificent Egypt, with its pyramids, its 
echoing statues, its famous labyrinth, and 
the other marvels of antiquity and art— 
I beg you, dear Menander, do not let 
me stand in the way: this would make 
me hated by the Athenians, who are 
already reckoning the bushels of corn 
which the King, out of regard for you, 
will bestow upon them. Go, under the 
protection of the gods and Fortune, with 
a favourable wind, and may Jupiter be 
propitious to you! As for me, I will 
never leave you: do not expect ever to 
hear me say that; and, even if I desired 
to do so, it would be impossible for me. 
I will leave my mother and sisters and 
join you on board. I feel sure that I 
12 


89 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


κι iO > 3 / 
σῶν γεγένημαι εὖ οἶδα, Kat ἐκκλωμένης 
, ι Me , U 
κώπης ναυτίας ἐγὼ θεραπεύσω. Oadrivo 
4 ς “ “ “ + , 
σου τὸ ἀσθενοῦν τῶν πελαγισμῶν: ἄξω δέ σε 
“ , ° + 9 
ἄτερ μίτων ᾿Αριάδνης εἰς Αἴγυπτον, οὐ 
, ° , ’ 4 
Διόνυσον ἀλλὰ Διονύσον θεράποντα καὶ 
A » , ‘ . “ 
προφήτην ovde ἐν Νάξῳ καὶ ἐρημίαις 
a " , Ἢ ‘ ° ’ 
ναυτικαῖς ἀπολειφθήσομαι, τὰς σὰς ἀπιστίας 
, 4 , “ ε 
κλαίουσα καὶ ποτνιωμένη. Χαιρέτωσαν οἱ 
»“" . lod 4 4A a” ~ 
Θησεῖς ἐκεῖνοι Kal Ta ἄπιστα τῶν πρεσ- 
ld ° rc A , 
βυτέρων ἀμπλακήματα. ἡμῖν δὲ βέβαια 
, A \ w+ 4 e 4 A e 
πάντα, καὶ TO ἄστυ, καὶ ὁ ἸΠειραιεὺς, καὶ ἡ 
7 5 ot U ε “ ‘ + 
Αἴγυπτος. Οὐδὲν χωρίον ἡμῶν τοὺς ἔρωτας 
25% , , " , 7, A 
οὐχὶ δέξεται πλήρεις. κἂν πέτραν οἰκῶμεν, 
a F ’ , an $\ oe , 
εὖ oda ἀφροδίσιον αὐτὴν TO εὔνουν ποιήσει. 
/ , 
Π]έπεισμαι μήτε χρημάτων ce μήτε περιου- 
, , , \ , > a 
σίας μήτε πλούτου τὸ καθαπαξ ἐπιθυμεῖν, 
. ΕἸ A * - , A 9 , 
ἐν ἔμοι Kai τοῖς δράμασι THY εὐδαιμονίαν 
; ° - 
κατατιθέμενονν ἀλλ᾽ οἱ συγγενεῖς, ἀλλ᾽ ἡ 
‘ ° , A 9S Ul ‘ 
πατρίς, ἀλλ᾽ of φίλοι, σχεδὸν οἶσθα πάντη 
, ~ , “ , 
πάντες πολλῶν δέονται, πλουτεῖν θελουσι 


καὶ χρηματίζεσθαι. Σὺ μὲν οὐδέποτε περὶ 


a ae ee 


τὰς a  οὸς 


ον a κι , 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 89 


shall soon turn out to be a good sailor. 
If the motion of the oars affects you, 
and the unpleasantness of sea-sickness, 
I will tend and look after you. With- 
out any thread, I will guide you, like 
another Ariadne, to Egypt; although 
you certainly are not Bacchus himself, 
but his attendant and priest. I have 
no fear of being abandoned at Naxos, 
to lament your perfidy in the midst of 
the solitudes of ocean. What care I for 
Theseus and the infidelities of the men 
of ancient times? No place can change 
our affection, Athens, the Piraeus, or 
Egypt. There is no country which will 
not find our love unimpaired: even if we 
had to live upon a rock, I know that 
our affection would make it the seat of 
love. I am convinced that you seek 
neither money, nor opulence, nor luxury: 
your happiness consists in the possession 
of myself and the composition of come- 
dies; but your kinsmen, your country, 
your friends—all these, you know, have 
many needs; they all wish to grow rich 
and to heap up money. Whatever hap- 
12—2 


90 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


᾽ \ 9 , », “ + 
οὐδενὸς αἰτιάσῃ με οὔτε μικροῦ οὔτε μεγα- 
- a > ’ A e , 
Aov, τοῦτο εὖ οἶδα, πάλαι μὲν ἡττημένος 
, ~ 7 \ Ὁ ~ \ wy» 4 , 
ἐμοῦ πάθεσι καὶ ἔρωτι: νῦν de ἤδη καὶ κρίσιν 
‘ 9 i ~~ , 
προστεθεικὼς αὐτοις" οἷς μᾶλλον περιέχομαι, 
Μένανδρε, φοβουμένη τῆς ἐμπαθοῦς φιλίας 
\ 9 , ᾿᾿ Ν e Ud ® 32 
TO ὀλιγοχρόνιον: ἔστι yap ws βίαιος ἡ ἐμ- 
Π a A 
mans φιλία, οὕτω καὶ εὐδιάλυτος: οἷς δὲ 
‘ 
παραβέβληνται καὶ βουλαὶ, ἀῤῥαγέστερον 
Ω ’ a δι Ψ + 3 A ς “- 
ἐν τούτοις ἤδη τὸ ἔργον οὔτε ἀμιγες ἡδοναῖς 
‘A ~ " 
τε καὶ διὰ τὸ πλῆθος, οὔτε περιδεές: λύσεις 
δὲ τὴν γνώμην, ὥς με πολλάκις περὶ τούτων 
“a U 
αὐτὸς νουθετῶν διδάσκεις. ᾿Αλλ᾽ εἰ καὶ σὺ 
, , , ° , , 4 
μήτε peuryy, μήτε αἰτιάσῃ, δέδοικα τοὺς 
+ A ᾿ A er ” , 
TTIKOUS σφῆκας, οἵτινες ἄρξονται πάντη με 
περιβομβεῖν ἐξιοῦσαν, ὡς αὐτὸν ἀφῃρημένης 
τῆς ᾿Αθηναίων πόλεως τὸν πλοῦτον. Ὥστε 
, a , 4 ΄- 
δεομαί σου, Mevardpe, ἐπίσχες, μηδέπω τῷ 
“ A 
βασιλεῖ μηδὲν ἀντεπιστείλῃς: ἔτι βούλευσαι, 


t or a , \ ‘ 
περίμεινον EWS Κοινῇ γενώμεθα καὶ META 


Aa So 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON go 


pens, you will have nothing to reproach 
me with, either great or small, of that 
I am certain; for you have long felt the 
deepest affection for me, and you have 
now learnt to judge me aright. This, 
dearest Menander, is a matter of re- 
joicing to me, for I always used ‘to fear 
the brief duration of a love founded upon 
simple passion. Such a love, however 
violent it may be, is always easily broken 
up; but, if it be accompanied by reason, 
the bonds of affection are drawn tighter, 
it gains sure possession of its pleasures, 
and leaves us free from care. Do you, 
who have often guided me on several 
occasions, tell me whether I am right in 
this. But, even if you should not re- 
proach me, I should still have great fear 
of those Athenian wasps, who would be 
sure to buzz around me on all sides at 
the moment of my departure, as if I 
were taking away the wealth of Athens. 
Wherefore, dear Menander, I beg you, 
do not be in too great a hurry to reply 
to the King; think it over a little longer ; 
wait until our meeting and we see our 


ΟΙ ΑΛΚΊΙΦΡΟΝΟΣ ῬΗΤΌΡΟΣ 


- , ‘ : , 4 , 
τῶν φίλων καὶ Θεοφράστου καὶ Ἐϊπικούρον' 
, ᾿ ? , Dh p < ‘ a 
τάχα yap ἀλλοιότερα κακείνοις καὶ σοὶ φανεῖ- 
a lal \ \ , \ 9 
ται ταῦτα. Μάλλον de καὶ θυσώμεθα καὶ ἴδω- 
, , ‘ ε ‘ 4 ἌΝ ° 
μεν, τί. λέγει Ta ἑἕερα, εἴτε λῷον εἰς 
+ e φὰ ? , 4 ’ A 
Αἴγυπτον ἡμᾶς ἀπιέναι, εἴτε μένειν: Kat 
΄- , ‘ , 
χρηστηριασθῶμεν εἰς Δελφοὺς πέμψαντες: 
eA “ ς , 9 ’ 
πάτριος ἡμῶν esti ὁ θεός. ᾿Απολογίαν 
Ψ ι , κ , 
ἕξομεν Kal πορευόμενοι καὶ μένοντες 
Ἁ ° , A , ~ 
πρὸς ἀμφότερα, τοὺς θεού. Μᾶλλον 
A " ‘ -“" , A A Ν᾿, 
δὲ ἐγὼ τοῦτο ποιήσω καὶ yap ἔχω 
1 4 - “5 Ν , “ 
τινὰ νεωστὶ γυναῖκα ἀπὸ Φρυγίας ἥκουσαν 
> , , 4 , 
εὖ μάλα τούτων ἔμπειρον, γαστρομαντεύ- 
4 ~ n~ ~ , , 
εσθαι δεινὴν TH τῶν σπαρτῶν διατάσει νύκ- 
4 “ “σι ~ , A 5 a 
Twp Kat τῇ τῶν θεῶν δείξει καὶ ov δεῖ 
’ , “5 9 - 
λεγούσῃ πιστεύειν, ἀλλ᾽ ἰδεῖν, ὥς φασι. 
, \ ΤΑ \ * e δ 
Διαπέμψψομαι πρὸς αὐτήν καὶ yap, ὡς ἔφη, 
A ’ , a , ‘ 
καὶ καθαρσίν twa δεῖ προτελέσαι τὴν 
~ 4 , A ~ ~ 
γυναῖκα Kat παρασκευάσαι τινὰ ζῶα ἱερεῦσαι, 
A \ 3 e Ἁ ’ ‘ 
καὶ λιβανωτὸν ἄῤῥενα καὶ στύρακα μακρὸν 
A , ‘ + ~ 
καὶ πέμματα σελήνης, καὶ ἄγρια φῦλλα 


ἀνθῶν. Οἶμαι δὲ καὶ σὲ φράσασθαι Πειραιό- 


“ae SNP Pe eee ee 


AG 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON ΟΙ 


friends Theophrastus and Epicurus; for 
perhaps their opinion will be different. 
Or rather, let us offer sacrifice, and see 
what the entrails of the victims portend: 
whether they advise us to set out for 
Egypt or to stay here; and, since Apollo 
is the god of our country, let us also 
send messengers to Delphi, to consult 
the oracle. Whether we go or whether 
we stay, we shall always have an excuse 
—the will of the gods. 

I have a better plan still. I know a 
woman, very clever in all these matters, 
who has just arrived from Phrygia. She 
excels in the knowledge of the art of 
divination, the stretching of the branches 
of the broom, and the nightly evocation 
of the shades. As I do not believe merely 
in words, but require acts as well, I will 
send to her; for she says she must per- 
form an initiatory lustration and prepare 
certain animals for the sacrifice, as well 


as the male frankincense, the tall styrax, 


the round cakes for the moon, and some 
leaves of wild flowers. I think that you 
have decided to come from the Piraeus ; 


92 ΑΛΚΙΦΡΟΝΟΣ ΡΗΤΌΡΟΣ 


9 “- a “~ , “ ’ 
θεν ἐλθεῖ: ἢ δηλῶσαί μοι σαφῶς, μέχρι 
’ " ’ ’ ΄σ ef ᾽ ‘ A 
Tivos οὐ δύνασαι TAuKépay ἰδεῖν: ἵν᾽ ἐγὼ μὲν 

, ‘ 4 A ‘ , , 
καταδράμω πρὸς σε, THY δὲ Φρυγίαν ταύτην 
ς ’ ΕΣ ‘ lal , 
ἑτοιμάσωμαι: ἤδη δὲ καταμελετᾶν πειράζεις 
᾿] A Σ ’ ‘ ΄σ΄ A 4 . [ 
ἀπὸ ταὐτομάτου Tov ]ειραιᾷ καὶ τὸ ἀγρίδιον 

4A ‘ , A 5 9 [ oe 
καὶ τὴν Μουνυχίαν, καὶ κατ᾽ ὀλίγον ὅπως 
9 , ~ ~ . A ‘ , , 
ἐκπέσωσι τῆς ψυχῆς. ᾿γὼ μὲν δύναμαι παντα 
- A 4 , 4 A ° , 
ποιεῖν μὰ τοὺς θεούς: σὺ δὲ ov δύνασαι, δια- 
’ vA A 
πεπλεγμένος ὅλως ἤδη μοι. Kav of βασι- 
.-“- " , , , ‘ , .] 4 
λεῖς επιστείλωσι πάντες, EYW πάαντῶν εἰμὶ 
A A ; ‘ ᾿] - 
παρὰ σοὶ βασιλικωτέρα, καὶ εὐσεβεῖ σοι 
, 9 ™ ‘ oe 
κέχρημαι ἐραστῇ καὶ ὅρκων ἱερομνήμονι. 
e ~ ~~ > eh ’ ΄σ 
ὥστε πειρῶ μάλλον, ἐμὴ φιλότης, θᾶσσον 
ς + ’ A » 
εἰς ἄστυ παραγενέσθαι, ὅπως, εἴγε μεταβου- 
, ~ ‘ , 5 ’ + 
λεύσαιο τῆς πρὸς βασιλέα ἀφίξεως, ἔχῃς 
» , A , “ 5 ~ “" , 
εὐτρεπισμένα τὰ δράματα ἐξ αὐτῶν, ἃ μά- 

7 , - A ‘ 
λιστα ονῆσαι δύναται Τ]τολεμαῖον Kat Tov 
ἢ i , > ‘ - a 
αὑτοῦ Διόνυσον, ov δημοκρατικὸν ws οἶσθα: 
+ of. ld , 39 , 
εἴτε Oatdas, εἴτε Μισούμενον, εἴτε Θρασυλέ- 

» 5 , 4 e , 
ovra, εἴτε ᾿Επιτρέποντας, εἴτε ᾿Ραπιζομένην, 
᾽ 4 aK 9 Ψ ΜῊΝ ὙΝ BN ᾽ν 
εἴτε Σικύων ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι καὶ ἔγω θρασεῖα 


Ἁ ‘ , ‘ A , , 
καὶ τολμηρὰ Tis expt τὰ Mevavdpou διακρίνειν 


ee ee ee ς 
qo ae ae ee 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 92 


if not, tell me how long you will be able 
to exist without seeing Glycera, that I 
may prepare this Phrygian and hasten 
to you. But perhaps you have already 
of your own accord considered with your- 
self how you may gradually forget the 
Piraeus, your little estate, and Munychia. 
I indeed can do and endure anything; 
but you are not equally your own master, 
since you are entirely wrapped up in me. 
Even if kings summon you, I am more 
your queen and mistress than them all, 
and I consider you as a devoted lover 
and a most diligent observer of your 
oath. Therefore, my darling, try all the 
more to come without delay to the city, 
so that, in case you change your mind 
in regard to visiting the King, you may 
nevertheless have those plays ready which 
are most likely to please Ptolemy and his 
Bacchus, no ordinary one, as you know: 
for instance, either the Thaises, the Misu- 
menos, the Thrasyleon, the Epitrepontes, 
the Rhapizomene, or the Sicyonian. But 
how rash and venturesome am I to take 
upon myself to judge the compositions of 


93 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOX 
ἰδιῶτις ovca ἀλλὰ σοφὸν ἔχω σου τὸν 
+ A ~ 3 54} , A ‘ 
ἔρωτα, καὶ ταῦτ᾽ εἰδέναι δύνασθαι: ov yap 
μ᾽ ἐδίδαξας εὐφυᾶ γυναῖκα ταχέως παρ᾽ 
. , , ς 3 ᾿] ΄ + 
ἐρώντων μανθάνειν, ἀλλ᾽ οἰκονομοῦσιν ἔρω- 
τες σπεύδοντες: αἰδούμεθα τὴν Λρτεμιν 
>? eon > ‘ a , . 
ἀνάξιοι ὑμῶν εἶναι μὴ θᾶττον μανθάνουσαι. 
Πάντως δέομαι Μένανδρε, κἀκεῖνο παρασκευ- 


Ὁ 


, θ \ ὃ va 93 Α , e 
σασθαι τὸ dpaua, ἐν ᾧ μὲ γέγραφας, wa 
’ ‘ 9 
κἂν μὴ παραγένωμαι σὺν σοι, dv ἄλλου πλεύσω 
a a 4 
πρὸς IlroAeuaiov, κἂν μάλλον αἴσθηται ὁ 
‘ er . , 4 . 4 
βασιλεὺς, ὅσον ἰσχύει καὶ παρὰ σοὶ γε- 
, , e ~ 4 3 
γὙραμμένους φερειν eavTov τοὺς ἔρωτας, 
° A 9 a ‘ ° 
ἀφεὶς ἐν ἄστει τοὺς ἀληθινούς. ᾿Αλλ’ 
sat , ° 5 DS ΄“ 
οὐδὲ τούτους ἀφήσεις, εὖ ἴσθι: κυβερνᾶν ἢ 
, “ ~ U A ean 
πρωρατεύειν ἕως δεῦρο παραγίνῃ πρὸς ἡμᾶς 


; , a - 93 - 
Πειραιόθεν μυηθήσομαι, ἵνα σε ταῖς ἐμαῖς 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 93 


Menander—I, a woman who knows nothing 
about such matters! But I have a clever 
master in your affection, which has taught 
me to understand even them; you have 
shown me that any woman, who possesses 
natural ability, quickly learns from those 
she loves, and that love acts without 
delay. I should be ashamed, by Diana, 
if I were to show myself unworthy of 
such a master by being slow to learn. 
Anyhow, dear Menander, I entreat you 
also to get ready that play in which you 
have described myself, so that, even if 


‘not present in person, I may sail by 


proxy to the court of Ptolemy; so the 
King will more clearly understand how 
strong your love must be, since you take 
with you at least the written history of 
the same, although you leave behind you 
in the city the living object of your 
affections. But you shall not even leave 
that behind; you may rest assured that 
I shall practise myself in the mysteries 
of guiding the helm and keeping look-out, 
until you come to me from the Piraeus, 
that I may safely guide you over the waves 


94 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


‘ ° , , , , 
χερσὶν ακύμονα ναυστολήσω, πλέεουσα, εἰ 
“ ” > , , A Φ 
τοῦτο ἄμεινον εἶναι φαίνοιτο φανείη δε, ὦ 
\ U x & iO A , 
θεοι πάντες, ὃ κοινῇ λυσιτελὲς ἢ, καὶ μαντεύ- 


: e ’ ‘ , - 
cato ἡ Φρυγία τὰ συμφέροντα κρεῖσσον 


τῆς θεοφορήτου σου κόρης. "“Εῤῥωσο. 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 4 


with my own hands, if you think it best 
to go. I pray to all the gods that what 
may be to the advantage of us both may 
be disclosed, and that the Phrygian may 
prophesy what is to our interest even 
better than your damsel inspired with 
divine frenzy. Farewell. 


95 ΑΛΚΊΦΡΟΝΟΣ PHTOPOZ 


pS I et aa ὡς Og τὰ ΔΕ δα ὃ δέν Ὁ 


ὦ 
Γλαυκίππη Χαρώπῃ. 


Ὁ ha νῷ > a a A S09 
Οὐκέτ᾽ εἰμὶ ἐν ἐμαυτῇ, ὦ μῆτερ, οὐδ 
a ’ 
ἀνέχομαι γήμασθαι, ᾧ με κατ᾽ eyyunow 
> , 3 e ‘ “~ , 
ἐπηγγείλατο ἔναγχος ὁ πατήρ, τῷ Μηθυμναίῳ 
si ‘ “ 9 A 
μειρακίῳ τῷ παιδὶ τοῦ κυβερνήτου, ἐξ ὅτου 
A ° Ἁ + 9 , Ἁ 9 
τὸν ἀστικὸν ἔφηβον ἐθεασάμην τὸν ὠσχο- 
’ 4 + + 5 , 
φόρον, OTe με ἄστυδε προὔτρεψνας ἀφικέσθαι, 
> [ BA ‘ A , > 
ὠσχοφορίων ὄντω. Καλὸς μὲν yap ἐστι, 
A i) ~ A v \ , 
καλὸς, ὦ μῆτερ, Kat ἥδιστος, καὶ βοστρύ- 
A / > ’ A ts A 
xous ἔχει βρύων οὐλοτέρους, καὶ μειδιᾷ τῆς 
, , , A ‘ 
θαλάσσης γαληνιώσης χαριέστερον, καὶ Tas 
Ν “ ’ “ > ‘ > 
Boras τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν ἐστι Kvavavyns, οἷος 
Ἁ “ἢ Ἁ ~ 9 , ~ ~ 
TO πρῶτον ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκτίνων τῶν ἡλιακῶν ὁ 
, , , Ἁ \ ow 
πόντος καταλαμπόμενος φαίνεται: TO δὲ ὅλον 
’ nw 5 »- ~ a 
πρόσωπον αὐταῖς ἐνορχεῖσθαι ταῖς παρειαῖς 
” a 4 ’ Wels AS 
εἴποις ἂν Tas Χαριτας τὸν ᾿Ορχομενὸν ἀπολι- 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 95 


BOOK Iii. 


Ῥ 
GLAUCIPPE ΤῸ CHAROPE. 


O MOTHER, I am quite beside myself! 
It is impossible for me to wed the young 
Methymnaean, the pilot’s son, to whom 
my father lately betrothed me, since I 
have seen the young man from the city, 
who carried the holy palm branch, when 
you gave me permission to go to Athens 
for the festival of the Oschophoria. Ah, 
mother, how beautiful he is! how charm- 
ing! His locks are curlier than moss; 
he laughs more pleasantly than the sea 
in a calm; his eyes are azure, like the 
ocean, when the first beams of the rising 
sun glitter upon it. And his whole 
countenance? You would say that the 


96 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


πούσας καὶ τῆς Γαργαφίας κρήνης amoviwa- 

μένας, τὼ χείλη δὲ, τὰ ῥόδα τῆς ᾿Αφροδίτης 

ἀποσυλήσας τῶν κόλπων, διήνθισται, ἐπὶ 
~ + , , “Δ , , 

τῶν ἄκρων ἐπιθέμενος. ~H τούτῳ μιγήσομαι, 

ἢ τὴν Λεσβίαν μιμησαμένη Σαπφὼ, οὐκ ἀπὸ 


τῆς Λευκάδος πέτρας, ἀλλ᾽ ἀπὸ τῶν ἹΠειραΐ- 


~ , 3 A 9 Ἀ "4 ᾽ 
κῶν προβόλων ἐμαυτὴν εἰς τὸ κλυδώνιον WOW. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 96 


Graces, having abandoned Orchomenus, 
after bathing in the fountain of Gargaphia, 
had come to frolic around his cheeks. On 
his lips bloom roses, which he seems to 
have plucked from Cytherea’s bosom to 
adorn them. He must either be mine 
or, following the example of the Lesbian 
Sappho, I will throw myself, not from 
the Leucadian rocks, but from the crags 
of Piraeus, into the waves. 


3 


97 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


i. 
’ ld 
Χαρώπη 'λαυκίππῇῃ. 
Ω , ΄ 
Μέμῃνας, ὦ θυγάτριον, καὶ ἀληθῶς ἐξέσ- 
της. ᾿Βλλεβόρου δεῖ σοι, καὶ οὐ τοῦ κοινοῦ, 
τοῦ δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς Φωκίδος ᾿Αντικύρας, ἥτις, 
δέον αἰσχύνεσθαι κορικῶς, ἀπέξεσας τὴν αἰδὼ 
»- , ΕΣ "5 ’ὔ A 4 
τοῦ mpocwmov. “Exe ἀτρέμα, καὶ κατὰ 
Ta e? \ A , ol 
σεαυτὴν ῥίπιζε τὸ κακὸν ἐξωθοῦσα τῆς 
, 
διανοία. Ei yap τι τούτων ὁ σὸς πατὴρ 
A , 
πύθοιτο, οὐδὲν διασκεψγάμενος, οὐδὲ μελλήσας, 


τοῖς ἐναλίοις βορὰν παραῤῥίψει σε θηρίοις. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 9) 


11. 
CHAROPE TO GLAUCIPPE. 


SiLty child, you are surely mad, with- 
out a spark of reason. You really need 
a dose of hellebore, not the ordinary 
kind, but that which comes from Anti- 
cyra, in Phocis, since you have lost all 
maiden modesty. Keep quiet, calm your- 
self, banish such extravagance from your 
thoughts and return to your right mind. 
If your father should hear anything of it, 
he would certainly throw you, without 
more ado, into the sea, as a dainty 
morsel for the monsters of the deep. 


13—2 


98 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


ITI. 
Εὔαγρος Φιλοθήρῳ. 


Α > A ~ Ἁ 
Βυοψία μὲν jv καὶ πλῆθος ἰχθύων: ἐγὼ 
4 9 A , 4 
δὲ τὴν σαγήνην ἀπολέσας ἠπόρουν ὃ τι 
, > , , 
πράξαιμι. "Ἔδοξεν οὖν Σισύφειόν τι μοι 
, , > -“ ‘ 
βουλευσαμένῳ βούλευμα ἐλθεῖν παρὰ τὸν 
Ἁ /. A ΄“ 
δανειστὴν Χρέμητα, καὶ ὑποθήκην avt@ καθο- 
\ , 5 , 
μολογήσαντι TO σκάφος λαβεῖν χρυσίνους 
’ 2 @ iO Ὁ iM ‘ 
τέσσαρας, ἐξ ὧν αὖθις καινουργῆσαί μοι τὴν 
, ε ’ ‘ a “ , 
σαγήνην ὑπάρξειε, καὶ δῆτα τοῦτο λόγου 
~ ees \ , 
θάττον eyevero. Kai ὁ Xpéuns ὁ κατεσκλη- 
A ε ‘ t 9 “ e \ 
κως, ὁ κατεσπακῶς τὰς ὀφρῦς ὁ ταυρηδὸν 
, e , » + ~ 9 , 
πάντας ὑποβλέπων, ἴσως ἔρωτι τῆς ἀκάτου, 
’ Ἀ A ACS A ° A 
χαλάσας TO βαρὺ καὶ ἀμειδὲς, ἀνεὶς τὰς ὄψεις, 
᾿ 4 Ἀν ἣν > a 
ὑπεμειδία πρὸς με, καὶ οἷος εἶναι ὑπουργεῖν 
’ ” δὰ \ δ᾿ : 
πάντα ἔφασκεν. EvOus μὲν οὖν ἔκδηλος ἣν 


ev 9 , Ἁ ‘ , ° 
οὕτως ἀθρόως τὸ σκυθρωπὸν λύσας οὐκ 


| 
\ 
y 
\ 
“J 
4 
4 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 98 


II]. 
EVAGRUS TO PHILOTHERUS. 


RECENTLY there was an abundant 
supply of fish; but, since my nets were 
quite spoilt, I did not know what to do. 
An inspiration came to me, which I 
thought worthy of Sisyphus. I resolved 
to go to the money-lender Chremes, and 
to offer my boat to him as security for 
four pieces of gold, that I might be able 
to repair my nets. No sooner said than 
done. Chremes, that skinny old wretch, 
as a rule knits his brows and looks 
savagely at everybody. Perhaps it was 
the hope of getting possession of my boat 
which caused him suddenly to relax his 
severity. The wrinkles on his brow 
cleared; he even smiled at me, and 
assured me that he was ready to render 
me any service that lay in his power. 
So prompt an alteration made his friend- 
liness suspicious, and clearly showed that 


99 AAKIPPONOZ PHTOPO= 


° , , ° + 
ἀγαθόν τι διανοούμενος, ἀλλ᾽ ὕπουλον ἔχων 
4 , ε \ 9 , ΄σ .- 
τὸ piravOpwrov ὡς δὲ ἐνστάντος τοῦ καιροῦ 
A ~ ° , 4A Ἁ ’ " f Xa, 
πρὸς τῳ ἀρχαίῳ Kal TOV τόκον ἀπῇτει, οὐδὲ 
". ὦ > \ ee a MESS a 
εἰς ὥραν ἐνδιδοὺς, ἐπέγνων. τοῦτον ἐκεῖνον, OV 
. , ‘ “3 , , , 
ἡπισταμὴν πρὸς τῇ Διομήτιδι πύλῃ καθή- 
XN ‘. , 3, ‘ " ᾿ 
μενον, τὸν τὴν καμπύλην ἔχοντα, τὸν ἐχθρὰ 
΄σ nw , ‘ , 4 
πᾶσι φρονοῦντα Χρέμητα τὸν Φλοιέα, καὶ 
oe > b] ΄ , 
γὰρ ἕτοιμος nv ἐπιλήψεσθαι τοῦ σκάφους. 
‘ Oy φ a 9 ’ 9 Ud # 
Ἴδων οὖν, εἰς ὅσον ἀμηχανίας ἐληλάκειν, οἴκαδε 
° , 4 Ἁ ΄-ὄ " , Ὁ 
ἀποτρέχω, καὶ τὸ χρυσοῦν ἀλύσιον, ὅπερ 
Ε] A a a , ~~ 
ποτὲ εὐπορῶν TH γαμετῇ κόσμον εἶναι περι- 
, > , , ΄ 
αυχένιον επεποιήκειν, ἀποσπάσας τοῦ τραχή- 
e , Ἁ Υ̓͂ > 4 
Aov, ws Πασέωνα τὸν τραπεζίτην ἐλθὼν, 
“ , A A 4 ’ 
ἀπημπόλησα, καὶ συναγαγὼν τὰ νομίσματα 
Ἁ 9 “ , , ° , “ \ 
σὺν αὐτοῖς τόκοις φέρων ἀπέδωκα, Kal ὥμοσα 
" “ - , 
κατ᾽ ἐμαυτοῦ, μήποτε ὑπομεῖναι Tapa τινα 
“ 3 , “A 9 - 
τῶν ἐν πόλει δανειστῶν ἐλθεῖν, μήδ᾽ ἂν 
, au ~ y+ ‘ 
φθάνοιμι λιμῷ κατασκλῆναι. λμεινον yap 
᾽ “ " - «ἅ ~ ς 
εὐπρεπῶς ἀποθανεῖν, ἢ ζῆν ὑποκείμενον δημο- 


΄ Α A 4, 
τικῷ καὶ φιλοκερδεῖ πρεσβύτῃ. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 99 


his intentions were anything but good; 
alas! his kindness was only skinned over, 
for, when the money became due, he 
claimed the interest with the capital, and 
refused to grant me so much as an 
hour’s grace. Then I recognised the 
real Chremes of Phoela, the common 
enemy of mankind, who may usually 
be found before the Diometian Gate, 
armed with a crooked stick. He was 
actually making preparations to seize my 
boat. Then I perceived in what a cruel 
plight I was. I ran home with all speed, 
took from my wife’s neck the golden 
necklace which I had given her in my 
more prosperous days, and sold it to the 
money-changer Paseon. With the money 
I got I paid both the capital and the inte- 
rest, and I took an oath to myself that in 
future I would rather die of hunger than 
ever apply again to a city money-lender. 
It is better to die honourably than to 
live at the mercy οἵ ἃ low and avaricious 
old man. 


100 «606 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


IV. 
Tpexédertvos Λοπαδεκθάμβῳ. 


ς , Ν ’ ‘ ov ἢ \ 
O γνώμων οὔπω σκιάζει τὴν ἕκτην: ἐγὼ 
A ° n “ na , 
de ἀποσκλῆναι κινδυνεύω, τῷ λιμῷ KevTOU- 
> ¢ , 
μενος. Kiev, ὥρα σοι βουλεύματος, Aozad- 
, “ ‘ a \ ‘4 
ἐκθαμβε, μᾶλλον δὲ μοχλοῦ καὶ καλωδίου 
9 , 9 ‘ x, δὲ ra 
ἀπαγξασθαι. Ki yap καὶ ὅλην καταβαλοῦ- 
A , ‘ \ Ἁ ~ e / 
μεν THY κίονα THY TO πικρὸν τοῦτο ὡρολόγιον 
° , «ἢ \ , , 9 ~ 
ἀνέχουσαν, ἢ τὸν γνώμονα τρέψομεν ἐκεῖσε 
, “Ὁ ’ ‘ ° 
νεύειν, οὗ τάχιον δυνήσεται τὰς ὥρας ἀποση- 
’ / \ , 
μαίνειν, ἔσται TO βούλευμα Ἰ]Παλαμήδειον' ὡς 
- " , Ss c \ nn A " , 
νῦν ἐγώ σοι αὖος ὑπο λιμοῦ καὶ αὐχμηρός. 
ἢ , A " / ’ \ 
Ocoxapys δὲ οὐ πρότερον καταλαμβάνει τὴν 
, 4 J oe Ἁ 3 “ ld 
στιβάδα, πρὶν αὐτῷ Tov οἰκεῖον δραμόντα 
, \ ce ε , - 9 e .- 
φράσαι τὴν ἕκτην ἐσταναι. Δεῖ οὖν ἡμῖν 
’ , εἴ ’ ‘ 
τοιούτου σκέμματος, Ὁ κατασοφίσασθαι Kal 
? U U 
παραλογίσασθαι τὴν Θεοχάρους εὐταξίαν δὺυ- 


νήσεται. 'Τραφεὶς γὰρ ὑπὸ παιδαγωγῷ βαρεῖ 


“ρου ΞΘ 


ΝΣ ὡς ριον .- τ τως 


ee =. as 
Seth 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 100 


IV. 
TRECHEDEIPNUS TO LOPADECTHAMBUS. 


THE sun-dial does not yet mark the 
sixth hour, and I am in danger of wasting 
away under the pinch of hunger. Come, 
it is time to take ‘counsel, Lopadectham- 
bus, or rather, let us get a beam and a 
rope and hang ourselves. But I have an 
idea. If we were to throw down the 
whole column which supports that con- 
founded dial, or turn the index so that it 
may make the hours seem to have gone 
faster, it will be a device worthy of Pala- 
medes. Iam exhausted and parched with 
hunger. Theochares never takes his seat 
at table until the servant runs to let him 
know that it is the sixth hour. We 
therefore need some plan to outwit and 
overreach the regularity of Theochares. 
For, as he has been brought up under 
the care of a stern and morose tutor, his 


10! AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOX 


4 A - 
καὶ ὠφρυωμένῳ οὐδὲν φρονεῖ νεώτερον, ἀλλ᾽ 
a! , “Ἁ 
οἷα τις Aaxns ἢ ᾿Αποληξίας αὐστηρός ἐστι 
- A / ~ 4A 
τοῖς τρόποις, καὶ οὐκ ἐπιτρέπει TH γαστρὶ 
Ἁ “- ¢ a “ , 
πρὸ τῆς ὥρας ἢ ἐκείνης τοῦ πίμπλασθαι. 
a sce 
Eppeco. 








SS hte = ὦ Δα στον 







‘LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON τοὶ 


ideas are not those of a young man, but 

he is as austere in his manners as Laches 
or Apolexias, and he will not allow his 
belly to satisfy its needs before that hour. 
Farewell. : 





102 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


V. 
Ἑκτοδιώκτης Μανδιλοκολάπτῃ. 


A , ’ ld , 
Χθες δείλης ὀψίας Lopyias ὁ ’EreoBou- 
, , 4 , ~ 
datns συμβαλών μοι κατὰ τύχην χρηστῶς 
" , 4 , ‘ (v4 A , 
ἡσπασατο καὶ κατεμέμφετο, ὅτι μὴ θαμί- 
ἢ > 4 4 ’ 
Come παρ᾽ αὐτόν. Kat μικρὰ προσπαίξας, 
, ᾿ \ > ᾿ ; 4 4 
ἴθι, πρὸς Διὸς, εἶπεν, ὦ βέλτιστε, καὶ μετὰ 
Ἁ , io , - ‘ 
βραχὺ λουσάμενος ἧκε, ᾿Αηδόνιον ἡμῖν τὴν 
e , 4 + , , > “ 
ἑταίραν ἄγων: ἔστι δὲ μοι συνήθης ἐπιεικῶς, 
A , , e , 9 - A 
Kal μένει πάντως, WS οὐκ ἀγνοεῖς, μικρὸν 
57 ~ , - A ~ 
ἄποθεν τοῦ Aewxopiov. Δεῖπνον δὲ ἡμῖν ηὐ- 
, ‘ “5 , 7 4 
τρέπισται γεννικον, ἰχθύες τεμαχίται, Kal 
, A , , 93 
σταμνία τοῦ Μενδησίου, νέκταρος εἴποι τις 
Bh , 4 ς 4 “- 5 4 
dv, mwemAnpwueva. Kat ὁ μεν ταῦτα εἰπὼν 
” > 4 ‘ 4 ἡ ἢ ’ ι 
ᾧχετο' ἐγὼ δὲ παρὰ τὴν ᾿Αηδόνιον δραμὼν, 
A , + ef 9 - 557 
καὶ φράσας, παρ᾽ ὅτου εκαλεῖτο, ἐδεησα 
, - ᾿] ’ἢ A e »» 
κινδύνῳ περιπεσεῖν ἀγνώμονος yap, ὡς ἔοικε, 


a ΄σ , A ~ 
πειραθεῖσα τοῦ Lopyiov, καὶ μικροπρεποῦς 


Se a ὧν χς 





ee ee ee ΣΡ ΡΎΎΨ Ξ 





pig 


Se ΨῸ 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 102 


V. 
~HECTODIOCTES TO MANDILOCOLAPTES. 


YESTERDAY, late in the evening, Gor- 
gias, of the family of the Eteobudatae, 
meeting me by chance, greeted me cour- 
teously, and reproached me for not going 
to see him more frequently. Then, after 
a few playful words, he said to me, “‘ Go, 
by Jupiter, my good friend, have a bath 
and come back to me without delay. 
Do not forget to bring Aedonium, with 
whom I am very intimate, and who, as 
you know, is always to be found near 
the Leocorium. I have prepared a noble 
supper, slices of fish, and jars of wine 
from Mendos, which you would say was 
the nectar of the gods.” With these 
words, he left me. I ran in all haste to 
Aedonium ; and when I told her by 
whom she had been invited, I nearly 
got into trouble. For, as it seems, she 


103  AAKI®PONOY ῬΉΤΟΡΟΣ 


AQ A “ς ’ 4 9 A + 

πρὸς Tas ἀντιδόσεις, THY ὀργὴν ἔναυλον 

᾽ , » , A , ς 
ἐγκειμένην ἔχουσα, πλήρη τὴν κακαβὴν ἀνα- 
, a , x07 , 4 
σπάσασα τῶν χυτροπόδων, ἐδέησε μου κατὰ 
wn , , ~ “ ° 
τοῦ βρέχματος καταχέοντος τοῦ ὕδατος, εἰ 
A , “ς 4A ‘ A 
μὴ φθάσας ἀπεπήδησα, παρὰ βραχὺ φυγὼν 
Χ , [2 ες “ 9 7 +] nw 
τὸν κίνδυνον. Οὕτως ἡμεῖς ἐλπίσιν ἀπατηλαῖς 

, , ~ ς A 4 3 
βουκολούμενοι πλείους τῶν ἡδονῶν τοὺς προ- 


A / 
πηλακισμοὺς ὑπομένομεν. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 103 


had found Gorgias ungrateful and mean 
in the matter of presents in return for 
her favours. In her anger, which is 
ever rankling in her breast, she snatched 
a full kettle from the stove, and, unless 
I had avoided the danger by quickly 
starting back, she would have poured 
all its contents over the top of my head. 
Thus, after feeding ourselves on idle 
hopes, do we gain a greater share of 
humiliation than of pleasure. 


104 ΑΛΚΙΦΡΟΝῸΣ PHTOPOX 


VI. 


᾿Αρτεπίθυμος Κνισοζώμῳ. 


᾿Αγχόνης μοι δεῖ, καὶ ὄψει με οὐ μετὰ 


‘ ᾽ ’ ‘ , oS y+ 
μακρὸν ἐν βρόχῳ τὸν τράχηλον ἔχοντα: οὔτε 
Ν ε ao? 2258 , A ‘ 
yap ῥαπίσματα οἷος τε εἰμι φέρειν, καὶ τὴν 

+ , ~ , 5 ’ 
ἄλλην παροινίαν τῶν κάκιστα ἀπολουμένων 
9 ΄ +S - od ‘ ° , 
ἐρανιστῶν, οὔτε τῆς papas Kat adnparyou 
\ a € A Ν ° - Ν ? 
yaoTpos κρατεῖν: ἡ μὲν yap αἰτεῖ, καὶ ov 
‘ , 3 9 ᾽ , \ 
πρὸς κόρον μόνον, αλλ᾽ εἰς τρυφήν: τὸ 
, A Ν 4 
πρόσωπον δὲ Tas ἐπαλλήλους πληγὰς οὐκ 
᾿ς Ψ ‘ ae n 3 “ ‘ 
ἀνέχεται, καὶ κινδυνεύω τοῖν ὀφθαλμοῖν τὸν 
Ψ ~ ς ‘ ~ ε , 
ἕτερον συσταλῆναι ὑπὸ τῶν ῥαπισμάτων 
9 , 9 A aA ΄“ wn a 
EVOXAOUMEVOS. Tov, tov τῶν κακῶν, οἷα 
ε ees kd , ε , ’ 
ὑπομένειν ἡμᾶς ἀναγκάζει ἡ παμῴφαγος αὕτη 
Q U , cA Oe 
καὶ παμβορωτατὴ γαστήρ. Expwa_ οὖν 
ca , ς ’ Ψ ὔ 
πολυτελοῦς τραπέζης ἀπολαύσας ἀποπτύσαι 
‘ “" 9 “ , , Ν 
τὸ ζῆν, ὀδυνηροῦ βίου κρείττω Tov Kal? 


ς A , ε , 
ἡδονὴν θάνατον ἡγησάμενος. 


νον, δ ιν 5 γω:- 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 104 


VI. 
ARTEPITHYMUS TO CNISOZOMUS. 


I WANT a rope: you will soon see 
me with my neck in a noose. For I 
cannot endure slaps in the face, and all 
the drunken insults of these cursed 
diners; and yet I cannot control my 
confounded and gluttonous stomach. It 
is always asking for more; it is not 
satisfied with being filled, but clamours 
for luxuries. But my face cannot stand 
blows one after the other, and I am in 
danger of having one of my eyes bunged 
up by their slaps. Alas, alas! what 
misery does our greedy and ravenous 
stomach force us to endure! I have 
therefore made up my mind to have one 
‘more good dinner and to put an end to 
my life in disgust, since, in my opinion, 
a voluntary death is preferable to a pain- 
ful life. 


14 


105 AAKI®PONOL PHTOPOZ 


VII. 


e , ’ 
Ετοιμόκορος Ζωμεκπνέοντι. 


7 Ἃ δι... ς θὲ δ. ἐν a , 
αταταιὰξ, τίς ἣν ἡ χθὲς ἡμέρα, ἢ τίς 
«ἢ Ἁ J ‘ “a ᾽ , , 
δαίμων, ἢ θεὸς ἀπὸ μηχανῆς ἐῤῥύσατο με 
° “- “ ‘ x , 27 
akapy μελλοντὰ παρὰ τοὺς πλείονας ἰέναι. 
J , , - 
Ei μὴ γὰρ ἀναζεύξαντα με τοῦ συμποσίου 
, 9 A , 9 i e 9 Ἁ 
κατά τινα ἀγαθὴν τύχην ᾿Ακεσίλαος ὃ ἰατρὸς 
΄ι ~ A ] \ , 
ἡμιθνῆτα, μᾶλλον de αὐτονεκρὸν θεασάμενος, 
Φ “. , 7 ° , , 
ἕνα τῶν κάτω, μαθηταῖς ἐπιτάττῶν popadny 
“ 4 ” eo pe ᾿ ” , 9 a 
ἀνελὼν, ἤγαγεν ὡς ἑαυτὸν οἴκαδε, καὶ ἀπερᾶν 
° ’ 4 4 , ea 
ἀπηνάγκασεν, ἔπειτα διατεμὼν φλέβα, ῥυῆναι 
\ \ A Φ 3 7 sal «om 
τὸ πολὺ TOU αἵματος ἐποίησεν, οὐδὲν ἂν 
He “ , ind , 
ἐκώλυσεν ἀνεπαισθήτῳ μὲ τῷ θανάτῳ δια- 
ς , - ‘ , 
φθαρέντα ἀπολωλέναι. Οἷα yap, οἷα (πάσχει 
‘ , , 9 ’ , 
τὰ δίκαια) λακκόπλουτοι εἰργασαντὸ με, 
+ + ‘ ’ A 
ἄλλος ἄλλοθεν περιττὰ πίνειν, καὶ πλείονα 


a 4 Ν a ~ ‘ 9 4 9 
κατα TO κυτος Τῆς γὙαστρος ἐσθίειν ἀναγκά- 


ρου Στ ee ee oe 


ἡ 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 105 


VII. 
HETOEMOCORUS TO ZOMECPNEON. 


Ou, Lord! oh, Lord! what a day I 
had yesterday! What spirit or god in- 
terfered, unexpectedly interfered, to save 
me, just as I was on the point of going 
to join the majority? For, as I was re- 
turning from the banquet, had not Acesi- 
laus the physician, by good luck, seen 
me, half-dead, or rather a corpse, an 
inhabitant of the nether world, and 
ordered his pupils to pick me up and 
carry me home, and, after administering 
an emetic to me, bled me till the 
blood flowed plentifully, nothing could 
have saved me from dying before I 
had regained consciousness. How these 
wealthy people treated me—and serve 
him right'—one making me drink to ex- 
cess, and another forcing me to eat more 


1 Apparently a marginal note by an enemy of 
parasites in general. 


14—2 


1066 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


e 4 4 ° lal 2-7 A 
Covres. “O μὲν yap ἀλλᾶντα ἐνέσαττεν, ὁ δὲ 
, ° 7, , “-“ , e A 
κόπαιον εὐμέγεθες παρώθει ταῖς γνάθοις, ὁ δὲ 
Ἂν > > > ᾿ ’ κ᾿ , Α 
κρᾶμα, οὐκ οἶνον, ἀλλὰ νὰπν Kal γάρον Kat 
»# ᾿ ’ / " ’ aN 4 
ὄξος ἐργασάμενος, καθάπερ ets πίθον ἐνέχει, 
Φ 4 U ° Ul ? \ 
ἅτινα, λέβητας, πιθάκνας, apidas ἐμημεκως 
LJ , 2 ἑ " Ἁ λ 4 , 
areTAnpwra ὥστε αὐτὸν τὸν ᾿Ακεσίλαον 
, ~ A , , ’ ’ 
θαυμάζειν, ποῦ καὶ τίνα τρόπον ἐχώρησε 
“ “ U , 
τοσοῦτος ὁ τῶν βρωμάτων φορυτός. ᾿Αλλ’ 
᾽ 4 A ΄“ 4 9 , + 
ἐπειδὴ θεοὶ σωτῆρες καὶ ἀλεξίκακοι προὔπτον 
’ ~ 9 , 9 9 3 ’ 
με κινδύνου φανερῶς ἐξείλοντο, ἐπ᾽ ἐργασίαν 
’ὔ A - » 4 
τρέψομαι, καὶ Llepae? βαδιοῦμαι τὰ ἐκ 
~ ~ , AE Be. A ° , ~ 
τῶν νεῶν φορτία ἐπὶ τὰς ἀποθήκας μισθοῦ 
, 4 Ν ai & , A 
μετατιθεί. “Apmewov yap ἐπὶ θύμοις καὶ 
9 , / A , 
ἀλφίτοις διαβόσκειν τὴν γαστέρα, ὁμολογου- 
, ” κ᾿ A ns - , a 
μένην ἔχοντα τὴν τοῦ ζῆν ἀσφάλειαν, ἢ 
’ ? , \ “ :ἢ , 
πεμμάτων ἀπολαύοντα Kal φασιανῶν οὀρνι- 
A + e / , 5 ’ 
θων, τὸν ἄδηλον ὁσημέραι θάνατον ἀπεκδέ- 


χεσθαι. 


a ee - ς 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 106 


than the skin of my belly could hold. One 
stuffed me with sausages, another rammed 
a great hunk of bread down my throat, 
while another made me drink a mixture, 
not wine, but mustard, fish-sauce, and 
vinegar, just as if he were pouring it 
into a cask. What a number of pots, 
pans, and pails I filled, when I brought 
all this up! Acesilaus was utterly asto- 
nished, and could not make out where 
and how I had* managed to stow away 
such a mish-mash of food. But now that 
the protecting and tutelary gods have 
visibly preserved me from a great danger, 
I will in future work. I will go down 
to the Piraeus, and carry luggage for 
hire from the vessels to the warehouses. 
For it is better to feed one’s stomach 
with thyme and barley-porridge, and enjoy 
a certain amount of security, than to feast 
upon cakes and pheasants, with the un- 
certain prospect of death before one’s 
eyes every day. 


107 AAKIPPONOX PHTOPOZ 


VIIl. 
Οἰνοπήκτης Κοτυλοβροχθίσῳ. 


+ κ ‘ , 4 4 
1θι λαβὼν τὴν σύριγγα καὶ Ta κύμβαλα 
a 4 , ‘ A HF AO Χ 
ἧκε περὶ πρώτην φυλακὴν τῆς νυκτὸς ἐπὶ τὸν 
~ Ἁ Ἁ Ε] 4A ‘ 3 »+ 
χρυσοῦν στενωπὸν Tov ἐπὶ τὴν ἄγνον, ἔνθα 
“- “ 9 / A Ἁ 
συμβαλεῖν ἡμῖν ἀλλήλοις ἔξεσται, καὶ τὸ 
᾿] nm " Ἁ ΄- ’ A 
ἐντεῦθεν, ἀπὸ Σκίρου λαβοῦσι Ἰζλυμένην τὴν 
id - AA A A ’ὔ Ἁ 
ἑταῖραν ἄγειν παρὰ τὸν νεόπλουτον, τὸν 
, ‘ +) 7 “ A A 
Θηριππίδην τὸν Ai€wvéa. Διακαῶς δὲ αὐτῆς 
a 2 9 A ee a , κ vas 
οὗτος ἐρᾷ, πολὺς ἐξ οὗ χρόνος, καὶ δαπανᾶται 
> ~\ 7 ’ 5 , 4 ι 
οὐκ ολίγα μάτην. ᾿Ηισθημένη γὰρ τὸν 
Bd 5 , “nw , , 
ἔρωτα ἐκκεκαυμένον TOU μειρακίου, θρύπτεται 
A “ ° , A , λον , 
καὶ συνεχῶς ἀκκίζεται: καὶ πλείονα ἐπὶ πλεί- 
° ’ + Σ e A " Pe 
οσιν ἀποφερομένη, ov φησιν εαυτὴν ἐπιδώσειν, 
ς A Ἁ ’ Ἁ - a] , , 
εἰ μὴ TO χωρίον πρὸς τοῖς ἀργυρίοις λάβοι. 


ὍὭ ἊΝ 4 Ul , " 10 5) , 
Ppa OvV Και Bia TQAVTHV εἰ συνήσως GAYTLTEL- 


<a see 


ue Ἂς 
ee 


ae ae ee: 
ἐς Soe eee : 








ae rae 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 107 


VIII. 
OENOPECTES TO COTYLOBROCHTHISUS. 


Go, fetch your flute and cymbals; 
and, towards the first watch of the night, 
come to the Golden Alley near Agnus, 
where we shall be able to meet. We can 
make arrangements to carry off Clymene 
from the Scyrian quarter and take her 
to Therippides of the deme of Aexona, 
who has just come into a fortune. For 
some time he has been madly in love 
with her, and has spent considerable 
sums upon her, but all to no purpose. 
For she, seeing the ardour of his passion, 
plays the coquette and shows herself 
affected and indifferent; and, although 
he has loaded her with presents, she re- 
fuses to let him enjoy her favours unless 
he adds landed property in the neigh- 
bourhood of the silver mines. I think it 
is time to put an end to this, and to 


108 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


ree " ΄σ΄ , A ΕΣ A δὲ t 
VOLTO ἡμῖν, ἀποσπᾶν δύω δὲ ὄντε καὶ ἐῤῥω- 
, , aoe 5" ’ Γ 
μένω τάχιστα αὐτὴν ἀπάξαιμεν. Θηριππίδης 
A 9 “ 4 A a4 9 , 
δὲ εἰ τοῦτο αἴσθοιτο, Kat τοὔργον ἐπιγνοίη 
aA e , ° , , , 
τῆς ἡμετέρας ἀγρυπνίας κατόρθωμα, ληψοό- 
“ ἴω , , " κ ἢ 
μεθα χρυσοῦς τοῦ νέου σκέμματος οὐκ ολί- 
A A 9. “- 4 , ‘ 
yous, Kat λαμπρὰν ἐσθῆτα, καὶ προσέτι THY 
“7 +, Ww > 9 3 ’ Φ 4 \ Ps 
οἰκίαν εἰσιέναι ἐπ᾽ ἀδείας ἕξομεν, καὶ TO χρῆσ- 
᾿ A 5 , U ‘ ‘ 
θαι τὸ λοιπὸν ἀνεπικωλύτως. Taya δὲ οὐδὲ 
Ud lad ° A , 
παρασίτους ἡμᾶς, ἀλλὰ φίλους ἡγήσεται": οἱ 
A , ι} " of. \ 9 , 
yap παράκλησιν εἰς evToliay μὴ avapetvar- 


τες, οὐκέτι κόλακες, ἀλλὰ φίλοι λογίζονται. 





(ὦ 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 108 


carry her off by force, in case she still 
offers resistance: two stout fellows like 
ourselves ought to have no difficulty in 
getting possession of the charmer. When 
Therippides learns that this happy result 
is the fruit of our watching, we shall cer- 
tainly get some money or clothes for our 
cleverness: he will give us free entry into 
his house; we shall henceforth enjoy every 
pleasure, without any hindrance, by way 
of reward. Perhaps he will even no longer 
treat us as parasites, but look upon us as 
friends ; for those who know how to an- 
ticipate the wishes of others are not con- 
sidered to be flatterers, but friends. 


109 ΑΛΚΙΦΡΟΝΟΣ PHTOPOZ 


IX. 


* ok ΩΝ ek x 


“~ , 
᾿Αποπειρώμενος τῶν σκυλακίων εἰ λοιπὸν 
9 , \ , \ + 4 
ἐπιτήδεια κατὰ δρόμον, λαγωὸν ἔν Tur θαμνῳ 
᾽ [ ° fF ᾽ν A 
διαστροβήσας ἐξαίφνης ἀνέστησα, τὰ δὲ 
, 3 ‘ - A r “ , 
σκυλακια Of ἐμοὶ υἱεῖς τῶν ἱμαντίων ἀπε- 
A A ‘ 3 ‘ 9 4 9 
Avoav. Kai τὰ μὲν ἐθορύβει, καὶ ἐγγὺς ἣν 
e a ‘ , e Ν A ~ , 
ἑλεῖν τὸ θηρίον. ὁ λαγωὸς δὲ τοῦ κινδύνου 
ἘΠ. A A ‘ a a 
φυγῇ ὑπερβὰς TO σιμὸν, φωλεοῦ τινος KaTa- 
, A , a“ 
δυσιν εὕρετο. Mia de ἡ προθυμοτέρα τῶν 
~ -“» 4 ~ n~ 
κυνῶν, ἤδη κεχηνυῖα Kat ψαῦσαι προσδοκῶσα 
“ “" ᾿) ‘ , A ~ 
τῷ δήγματι, συγκατῆλθεν εἰς THY ὁπὴν τῆς 
“ 3 ΄ ° , , \ , 
γῆς, ἐντεῦθεν ἀνελκύσαι βιαζομένη τὸ λαγώ- 
A , - , .- A 
διον, καὶ θραύει τοῖν προσθίοιν ποδοῖν τὸν 
o a 9 , , 
ἕτερον. Kai ἀνειλόμην χωλεύουσαν σκύλακα 
5 ‘ ‘ ‘ “~ « , 4 , , 
ἀγαθὴν, καὶ τὸ ζῶον nuiBpwrov Kat γέγονέ 
, > 4 ~ , , 
μοι κέρδους ἐφιεμένῳ λυπροῦ ζημίαν peyarny 


"5 , 
ἀπενεγκασθαι. 


= oa 


fe at 


Sa 


Yeats 


Cli i de 
= 


ater ie ee 
ar 


ee 


KS 


ἕως 


SSE ον λους 


So 


Se ee 


—— 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 10g 


IX. 
[THis LETTER HAS NO ADDRESS, | 


WHILE I was trying my young dogs, 
to see if they were fit for coursing, I 
suddenly started a hare which was con- 
cealed in the brushwood. My sons un- 
leashed the dogs; they rushed on and 
were on the point of catching the hare, 
when, in its efforts to escape, it ran up a 
hill and took refuge in a warren. The 
most eager of the pack, which was 
already snapping at it with open mouth 
and thought to seize it with its teeth, 
followed it into the hole, and, in the 
attempt to pull it out, broke one of its 
fore-legs. All I could do was to pull out a 
lame dog and a half-eaten hare. I was 
only trying to gain a trifling success, 
but, instead, I experienced a severe loss. 


110  AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


X. 
logov “Epacrovt. 


"Ee , A A ~ 9 , e 
πιτριβείη Kat κακὸς κακῶς ἀπόλοιτο ὁ 
Ui “5 Ἁ 4 , 4 
κακιστος ἀλεκτρυὼν καὶ μιαρώτατος, ὃς με, 
εολ »᾿ , 3 
ἡδὺν ὄνειρον θεώμενον, ἀναβοήσας ἐξήγειρεν. 
3 / ‘\ ΟἹ ’ “ , 
Kdoxovy yap, ὦ φίλτατε γειτόνων, λαμπρός 
a 4 > ~ 
τις εἶναι καὶ βαθύπλουτος εἶτα οἰκετῶν 
3 , , 2 τὰ 3 , A 
ἐφέπεσθαί μοι στίφος, ots οἰκονόμους Kat 
κ᾿ > + he \ ‘ \ 
διοικητὰς ἐνόμιζον ἔχει. ᾿Ἑφῴκειν δὲ καὶ τὼ 
a , “nw 
χεῖρε δακτυλίων πεπληρῶσθαι, καὶ πολυ- 
’ “ A 4 
ταλάντους λίθους περιφέρειν. καὶ ἦσαν ot 
’ r ἈΝ \ ~ , 
δακτυλοὶ μου μαλακοὶ, καὶ ἥκιστα τῆς δικελ- 
4 9 ’ A r , 
Ans ἐμέμνηντο. ᾿Εἰφαίνοντο δὲ καί of κό- 
ὔ een. 
λακες ἐγγύθεν, Τιρυλλίωνα εἴποις ἂν καὶ 
, , 5 , ‘ 4 
Ilaraciova παρεσταναι. ‘Ev τούτῳ δὴ καὶ 
ε lon , by , 

ὁ δῆμος ᾿Αθηναίων εἰς τὸ θέατρον προελ- 
’ 9 , , , , 
θόντες, ἐβόων προχειρίσασθαί με oTparnyov' 

A “. , Χ 
μεσούσης δὲ τῆς χειροτονίας, ὁ παμπονηρὸς 


, 
ἀλεκτρυὼν ἀνεβόησε, Kat TO φάσμα ἠφανίσθη. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON ἼΙΟ 





X. 
IoPHON TO ERASTON. 


Zs CuRSED be the detestable cock, which 
" woke me up with its crowing, when I 
᾿ was enjoying a most delightful dream. I 
thought, my dear neighbour, that I was 
a person of wealth and distinction. I 
was attended by a number of slaves, 
stewards, and treasurers. My hands were 
loaded with rings and precious stones of 
great value; my fingers were soft and 
delicate, free from hardness, and showed 
no traces of the use of the mattock. I was 
surrounded by flatterers, such as Gryllion 
and Pataecion. At the same time, the 
people of Athens, assembled in the theatre, 
cried out for my appointment as general. 
But, while they were busily engaged 
in voting, the confounded cock crowed, 
and the vision disappeared. However, on 


7 eh 


ΠῚ AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ ᾿ 


Ὅμως ἀνεγρόμενος περιχαρὴς ἣν ἐγώ ἐνθύ- 
‘ , ‘ , ε ’ 
μιον δὲ ποιησάμενος, τοὺς φυλλοχόους ἑστάναι 


~ » > A AE ok 7 
μῆνας, ἔγνων εἶναι Ta ἐνύπνια ψευδέστατα. 











LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 111: 


my first awaking, I was still full of joy. 
But, when I reflected that we were in 
the month of the fall of the leaves, I 
remembered that then dreams are always 
most false, and I said good-bye to my 
illusions. 


112 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


XI. 
Apvavridas Χρονίῳ. 


9 , + n~ 7A εξ -. 
Οὐκέτι σοι μέλει οὔτε τῆς εὐνῆς ἡμῶν, 
3, “ “ 7 4 A ~ ᾽ 
οὔτε τῶν κοινῶν παίδων, οὔτε μὴν τῆς κατ 
‘ ~ [72 A > “ DF A 
ἀγρὸν διατριβῆς: ὅλη δὲ εἶ τοῦ ἄστεος. Llavi 
A A , 3 , , 
μὲν kat Νύμφαις ἀπεχθομένη, ἂς ᾿Επιμηλίδας 
, 4 , \ of A A 
ἐκάλεις, καὶ Apvadas, καὶ Naidas, καινοὺς δὲ 
ec a 93 7 A \ - = 
ἡμῖν ἐπεισάγουσα θεοὺς πρὸς πολλοῖς τοῖς 
ee U ~ A : 4 5 " \ 
προὕπάρχουσι. Ἰ]οῦ yap eyw κατ᾽ ἀγρὸν 
, « ’ ’ 
ἱδρύσω ἹΚωλιαδας ἢ Τενετυλλίδας ; οἶδα ἀκού- 
” , 77 > x \ 
σας ἄλλα Twa δαιμόνων ὀνόματα, ὧν διὰ TO 
-. ᾿] , ~ ‘ , 
πλῆθος ἀπώλισθέ μοι τῆς μνήμης τὰ πλείονα. 
9 - e 4 in , ΦΥῊΝ Ὁ ’ 
Οὐ σωφρονεῖς, ὡς ἔοικεν, ὦ γύναι, οὐδὲ ὑγιές 
~ 9 4 io - 9 “ 
τι διανοῇ, ἀλλὰ ἁμιλλᾶσαι ταῖς ἀστικαῖς 
A A ς \ ~ , ao 
ταυταισὶ ταῖς ὑπὸ τρυφῆς διαρρεούσαις, ὧν 
4A ‘ , ’ , 4 «ε / 
καὶ TO πρόσωπον ἐπίπλαστον, καὶ ὁ τρόπος 


μοχθηρίας ὑπεργέμων' φύκει γὰρ καὶ ψιμυθίῳ 


Ss Pe Ψ.. 








νυ πον ee Se -- 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 112 


ΧΙ, 
DRYANTIDAS TO CHRONIUM. 


You have forgotten our marriage bed, 
our children, our country life. The city 
has taken complete hold of you. Pan 
and the Nymphs, whom you used to in- 
voke under the name of Dryads, Epime- 
lides, and Naiads, are now hated by you, 
and, in addition to the numerous deities 
already in existence, you are introducing 
fresh ones. Where shall I be able to 
find room in the country for the Coliades 
or Genetyllides? I think I also heard 
some other divinities mentioned, but, 
owing to their number, the names of 
most of them have slipped my memory. 
Foolish woman that you are, you must 
have lost your reason! You wish to try 
and rival those women of Athens who, 
plunged in luxury, have made-up faces, 
and whose morals are of the worst. 

15 


113 AAKI@PONOY PHTOPOZ 


A , ~ 4 4 

καὶ παιδέρωτι δευσοποιοῦσι τὰς παρειας 

4 A “~ U ‘ 4 

ὑπὲρ τοὺς δεινοὺς τῶν Cwypapwr. Σὺ δὲ, 
"ἡ ε r ε Ud Ἂν τῳ cI B. -i8P 

ἣν ὑγιαίνῃς, ὁποίαν σε TO ὕδωρ ἢ TO ῥύμμα 


‘\ 4 9 , , - 
τὸ πρὶν ἐκάθῃρεν, τοιαύτη διαμενεῖς. 


+ κι τς «οἶς 2 


a ς > 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 113 


They paint their cheeks with dyes, ceruse, 
and vermilion, more skilfully than the 
cleverest artist. But you, if you are 
sensible, will not imitate them. Remain 
as you are; pure water and soap are 
enough for a respectable woman. 


15—2 


114 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


XII. 
IIpatrivas Ἐ πιγόνῳ. 


, », ~ , 
MeonuBpias οὔσης σταθηρᾶς, φιλήνεμόν 
9 , , 4 Ἁ A + 
τινα ἐπιλεξάμενος πίτυν, Kal πρὸς Tas αὔρας 
᾽ , € ‘ , ‘ ~ 9 ’ 
ἐκκειμένην, ὑπὸ ταύτῃ τὸ καῦμα ἐσκίαζον' 
, ‘~? , 9. ae , 
καί μοι ψυχάζοντι pan ἡδέως, ἐπῆλθέ τι 
A wn 9 ’ A A A 
καὶ μουσικῆς ἐφάψασθαι, καὶ λαβὼν τὴν 
, > , ~ ’ Ν 4 
σύριγγα ἐπέτρεχον TH γλώττῃ στενὸν TO 
ra A “ “ 3 7 ’ 
πνεῦμα μετὰ τῶν χειλῶν ἐπισύρων, καί μοι 
Ἁ ’ 3 , , 
ἡδύ τι καὶ νόμιον ἐξηκούετο μέλος. Ἔν 
A > “ ‘ ‘ a 
τούτῳ δὲ οὐκ οἶδ᾽ ὅπως ὑπὸ THs ἡδυφωνίας 
’ ~ ld , ς > 
θελγόμεναι πᾶσαί μοι πανταχόθεν αἱ αἶγες 
’ A 3 - , A 
περιεχύθησαν, Kat ἀφεῖσαι νέμεσθαι τοὺς 
, 4 Ἁ ς XN vA ~ , 
κομάρους καὶ Tov ἀνθερικὸν, ὅλαι τοῦ μέλους 
’ ‘ A 9 a a 
ἐγένοντο. "Eyw de ev μέσοις τοῖς ᾿Ηδωνοῖς 


ἐμιμούμην τὸν παῖδα τῆς Καλλιόπης. Ταῦτα 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 114 


XII. 


PRATINAS TO EPIGONUS. 


WHEN the noonday heat was at its 
height, I selected a pine-tree, which was 
swept by the wind and exposed to the 
breeze, and threw myself beneath its shade 
to escape from the sweltering heat. While 
I was cooling myself very comfortably, the 
idea came into my head to try a little 
music. I took my pipe; I gently moved 
my tongue up and down its reeds, and 
played a sweet pastoral melody. Mean- 
while, all my goats collected round me 
from all directions, enchanted, I know not 
why, by the sweet strains. They forgot to 
browse upon the arbutus and asphodel, 
and gave no thought to anything but the 
music. At that time I was like the son 
of Calliope in the midst of the Edonians. 
My only object in communicating to you 


f 
“eGov ane er ele elas 


115  AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOD Co 


σε οὖν εὐαγγελίζομαι, φίλον ἄνδρα συνειδέναι 
, e , ᾽ + ‘ Ἁ 
βουλόμενος, ὅτι μοι μουσικόν ἐστιν ἔχειν τὸ 


αἰπόλιον. ἶ 











LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 115 


this pleasant story is to let a friend know 
that I have a flock of goats which is 
exceedingly fond of music and knows 
how to appreciate it. 


ἴ 
i 


116 AAKISPONOZY PHTOPOZ 


XIII. 
Καλλικράτης Atyove. 


\ ‘ nw a , 
"Eyw μεν, ἥκοντος τοῦ καιροῦ, γύρους 
, \ 3 ’ , a? 
περισκαψγας καὶ ἐμβαθύνας βόθρον, οἷός τε 
+ 9 , 5] , A +] , » “ 
ἤμην ἐλαδια ἐμφυτεύειν, καὶ ἐπάγειν αὐτοῖς 
“ 4 4 3 a , ’ 
ναματιαῖον ὕδωρ, ὃ μοι ἐκ τῆς πλησίον φα- 
3 , 3 ‘ \ 5, 
ραγγος ἐποχετεύεται ἐπελθὼν δὲ ὄμβρος 
a 4 , 9 ‘ 
ἐς τρεῖς ἡμέρας καὶ νύκτας ἴσας, ποταμοὺς 
li ; 3 “Ἄ ° ’ ~ ΘΝ, ᾽ , 
ἄνωθεν ἐκ τῆς ἀκρωρείας τῶν ὁρῶν ἐγέννησεν, 
a ev , Ἃ Δ 93 U 
ol ῥύμῃ κατασυρόμενοι ἔλὺν ἐπεσπάσαντο, 
A A , , oe > 
kat τοὺς βόθρους κατέχωσαν, ὥστε εἶναι 
, x ee A 908 a ef ς 
TavTa ἰσόπεδα, καὶ οὐδὲ δοκεῖν ὅλως εἰρ- 
, e ? , , Ν , 
yarpeva. Οὕτως ἠφανισταί μοι Ta πονή- 
4 3 δ οὐ τὰν ee , 
ματα, καὶ εἰς μίαν ὄψιν ἄτοπον κατέστη. 
> + , , 5 “ 
Τίς ἂν οὖν ἔτι πονοίη, μάτην ἀδήλους ἐλπίδας 


> , ee , > 49 
ἐκ γεωργίας καραδοκῶν ; Μετιτέον por ἐφ 


v4 , \ ‘ a + “ ς᾽ 
ἕτερον βίον. φασὶ yap ἅμα ταῖς τῶν ἐπι-. 


, 3 a 4 A , 
τηδευμάτων ἀλλαγαῖς Kal Tas τύχας μετασχη- 


ματίζεσθαι. 


a 


tte!) pre & 


ee 








LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 116 


XIII. 
CALLICRATES TO AEGON. 


WHEN the season for planting came, 
I was on the point of setting some young 
olive-trees, and watering them with water 
from the spring, which was brought to 
me from the neighbouring valley. I had 
already marked out the holes and dug 
trenches. Unfortunately, a storm of rain 
came on, which, for three days and as 
many nights, drove down from the sum- 
mit of the mountains regular rivers, which, 
in their impetuous course, have filled the 
trenches with mud. All my fields have 
the same level; there is no trace of cul- 
tivation; all my labour is lost. The 
whole place has assumed a uniform and 
strange appearance. Who in future will 
work any more and flatter himself in vain 
with idle hopes in return for all his 
labour? I must try another trade. It 
is said that Fortune changes when we 
change our occupation. 


117. AAKISPONOZ PHTOPOZ 


XIV. 


4 


- , 
Σιτάλκης Οἰνοπίωνι. 


᾿] , κὺ ;»κ 4 " 4 - 
Ki πατρώζεις, ὦ παῖ, καὶ τάμα φρονεῖς, 
, \ ° , > ’ Ἁ , , 
χαίρειν τοὺς ἀλαζόνας ἐκείνους τοὺς ἀνυποδή- 
A 9 “ A A A 5 , 
Tous Kal ὠχριῶντας, οἵ περὶ THY ᾿Ακαδημίαν 
᾽ a : ‘ ‘ 2Qt ‘ , 
ἀλινδοῦνται, βιωφελὲς μὲν οὐδὲν οὐδὲ πράττειν 
, 509Ὰ 54 7 ἈΝ , A 
δυνάμενοι, οὐδὲ εἰδότες, τὰ μετέωρα δὲ πολυ- 
.- 9 , x7 Sf ~ 
πραγμονεῖν ἐπιτηδεύοντες, ἐάσας, ἔχου τῶν 
> 9 κι “᾿, 7.3 «A a 
κατ᾽ ἀγρὸν ἔργων, ἀφ᾽ ὧν σοι διαπονοῦντι 
A A ε , , e A 
μεστὴ μὲν ἡ σιπύη πανσπερμίας, of δὲ αμ- 
- + , a 4 " ~ 
φορεῖς οἴνου γέμοντες, πλεῖα δὲ ἀγαθῶν 


‘ , 
Ta συμπαντα. 





oe Se Me Fe ee 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 117 


XIV. 
SITALCES TO OENOPION. 


My son, if you wish to imitate your 
father and follow his advice, do not 
listen to those charlatans whom you see 
wandering, barefooted and with pale faces, 
in the neighbourhood of the Academy. 
They can neither do nor teach anything 
useful on this earth; they only pore over 
heavenly things, which they profess to 
understand. Leave these people, work, 
cultivate your land; this will fill your 
meal-sack with corn, your jars with wine, 
and your house with wealth. 


118 ΑΛΚΙΦΡΟΝῸΣ PHTOPOZ 


XV. 
Korivos Tpvyoddpy. 


e ‘ 3 A A. at er + 
O τρυγητὴῆς ἐγγὺς, καὶ ἀῤῥίχων ἔστι μοι 
, , > , A \ 
χρεία δάνεισον οὗν μοι τούτων τοὺς περιττοὺς, 
Φ 9 9 \ Ω , ΕΣ a 
ὅσον οὐκ εἰς μακρὸν ἀποδώσοντιι "χω οὖν 
oe ’ ’ 9 > , 
kayw πιθακια πλείονα' εἰ οὖν δέοιο, προ- 
, ’ N 4 4 A ’ 
θύμως λάμβανε, τὰ yap Kowa τῶν φίλων 


οὐχ ἥκιστα τοῖς ἀγροῖς ἐμφιλοχωρεῖν ἐθέλει. 


" Owes Slee 





κα ee ee a a 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 118 


XV. 
COTINUS TO. TRYGODORUS. 


THE vintage-is close at hand; I want 
some baskets ; lend me some, if you have 
any to spare; I will return them to you 
soon. I have several little casks; if you 
want any, take them without ceremony. 
The rule, that friends should share what 
they have in common, holds good in the 
country more than anywhere else. 


119 ΔΛΛΚΊΦΡΟΝΟΣ PHTOPOS 


XVI. 


Φυλλὶς Opacwvidy. 


> 


Ss “-“ 9 4 ~ + 
Εἰ γεωργεῖν ἐβούλου, καὶ νοῦν ἔχειν, ὦ 
, ‘ ΨῪ ‘ / ᾿ nn” 
Θρασωνίδη, καὶ τῷ πατρὶ πείθεσθαι, ἔφερες ἂν 
Α - a \ 4A ’ A , 
καὶ τοῖς θεοῖς κιττὸν καὶ δάφνας, καὶ μυρίνην, 
A" # + , eA eS - . n 
kat ἄνθη ὅσα σύγκαιρα' Kal ἡμῖν τοῖς γονεῦ- 
. 9 , κι κ᾿ 3 , 
σιν πυροὺς ἐκθερίσας, καὶ οἶνον ἐκ βοτρύων 
93 , 4 / 4 Ν 
ἀποθλίψνας, καὶ βδάλας τὰ αἰγίδια, τὸν 
. A , ~ A 9 s 
γαυλὸν πληρώσας γάλακτος. Νῦν δὲ ἀγρὸν 
A ’ 3 , ’ A > ΄- 
καὶ γεωργίαν ἀπαναίνῃ, κράνους δὲ ἐπαινεῖς 


, A 9 , 9 ~ A 
τριλοφίαν, καὶ ἀσπίδος ἐρᾷς, ὥσπερ ’Akapvay 


a 


ἢ Μηλιεὺς μισθοφόρος. Νὴ σύγε, ὦ παιδίον, 
ἀλλ᾽ ἐπάνιθι ὡς ἡμᾶς, καὶ τὸν ἐν ἡσυχίᾳ βίον 
ἀσπάζου (καὶ γὰρ ἀσφαλὴς καὶ ἀκίνδυνος ἡ 
’ ΕῚ ’ " ΦιΨ 9 , 
γεωργία, οὐ λόχους, οὐκ ἐνέδρας, οὐ φάλαγγας 
ἔχουσα, ἡμῖν τε O γηροκόμος ἐγγύς) ἀντὶ 
τῆς ἐν ἀμφιβόλῳ ζωῆς τὴν ὁμολογουμένην 


e , , 
ἐλόμενος σωτηρίαν. 


αν oe OTe ae 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 110 


XVI. 
PHYLLIS TO THRASONIDES. 


ΙΕ you will be sensible, Thrasonides, 
listen to your father, and devote yourself 
to agriculture. You would present to the 
gods, ivy, laurels, myrtles, and flowers 
in season; to us, your parents, you 
would bring the wheat you have reaped, 
the wine you have pressed, and the pail 
full of milk from your goats. But, as it 
is, you despise the country and agricul- 
ture, and all your affection is devoted to 
a helmet surmounted with triple crest or 
a shield, just as if you were a Melian or 
Acarnanian mercenary. Give up such 
ideas, my boy; come back to us and 
lead a peaceful life; the fields offer 
greater security. There one is out of 
reach of danger, without having to fear 
cohorts, phalanxes, or ambuscades. Be 
the stay of our approaching old age: a 
life free from danger is better than a 
career full of perils. 


120 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


XVII. 


r 


Χαιρέστρατος Anplo. 


έ 

’ ἊΝ / A “ 
᾿Επιτριβείης, ὦ Ληρίον, κακὴ κακῶς, ὅτι 

“ , 4 “- >] “ , 
pe τῇ μέθῃ καὶ τοῖς αὐλοῖς κατακηλήσασα, 

A ° / a " “ “3 “ ᾿ 
βραδὺν ἀπέφηνας τοῖς ἐκ τῶν ἀγρῶν ἀπο- 
Ἢ A A a 

. πέμψασιν. Οἱ μὲν yap ἕωθεν προσεδόκων 
, 9 - A , , o 
pe φέροντα αὐτοῖς Ta κεράμια (σκεύη) ὧν 

of " ’ 5 A 4 e ~ , 
ἕνεκα adikouyy' eyo δὲ ὁ χρυσοῦς πάννυχος 

, +) , 5" , 
καταυλούμενος εἰς ἡμέραν ἐκάθευδον. ᾿Αλλ᾽ 
” “Ὁ / A A ] ’ A 
ἄπιθι, ὦ τάλαινα, καὶ τοὺς ἀθλίους τουτουσὶ 
, « , ᾽ A 4 a ΕΝ 
θελγε τοῖς γοητεύμασιν: ἐμοὶ δὲ ἣν ἔτι 
. t wh hy , a 

ἐνοχλοίης, κακὸν τι παμμέγεθες προσλαβοῦσα 


° , 
ἀπελεύσῃ. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 120 


XVII. 
CHAERESTRATUS TO LERIUM. 


May ill-luck attend you, Lerium! may 
you come to a bad end, for having in- 
toxicated me with wine and music, so that 
I was late in getting back to the people 
who had sent me from the country! The 
first thing in the morning they expected 
me with the wine jars which I had come 
to fetch for them; but 1, like a nice 
fellow that I was, amused myself with 
you all night, and, charmed by the sound 
of your flute, slept until daybreak. Away 
with you, worthless woman! tempt city 
young men with your fascinations ; if you 
molest me any more, you shall pay dearly 
for it. 


16 


121 ΑΛΚΊΙΦΡΟΝΟΣ PHTOPOZ 


XVIII. 
Εὔσταχυς Πιθακίωνι. 


~ 3 7 A , ς , 7 
Tov ἐμοῦ παιδὸς γενέσια ἑορτάζων, ἥκειν 
} eh A , > 4 
σε ἐπὶ τὴν πανδαισίαν, ὦ 1Πιθακίων, παρα- 
“ ν A 9 , 5 ᾽ , 
καλῶ: ἥκειν de ov μόνον, ἀλλ᾽ ἐπαγόμενον 
A - 4 A , A ‘ , 
THY γυναῖκα, καὶ Ta παιδία, καὶ τὸν συνέὲρ- 


oe] , A A A 7 
yaoTpov' εἰ βούλοιο δὲ, καὶ THY κύνα, 


> A “~ U ~ 
ἀγαθὴν οὖσαν φύλακα, καὶ τῷ βάρει τῆς 


ε “ 9 “ A 9 , . 
ὑλακῆς ἀποσοβοῦσαν τοὺς ἐπιβουλεύοντας τοῖς 
, ε , ἈΠ ined) a ’ κι 
ποιμνίοις: ἡ τοιαύτη οὐκ ἂν ἀτιμάζοι τὸ δαι- 
A iy ‘ ec nw ¢ 7 4 , 
τυμὼν εἶναι σὺν ἡμῖν. EKoptacomey de mar 
eqs ‘ ’ 9 / A A ‘ 
ἡδέως, καὶ πιόμεθα εἰς μέθην, Kat μετὰ τὸν 
’ 3 , \ @ 3 , , 
κόρον ᾳἀσόμεθα' Kal ὅστις ἐπιτήδειος κορδακι- 

9 4 A \ 4 
ζειν, εἰς μέσους παρελθων, TO κοινὸν Wuxayo- 
\ , a ᾿ , \ 
γήσε. Μη μελλε οὖν, ὦ φίλτατε, καλὸν 
A 9 - 5 ὌΝ ς - 9 ε “ὄ. 
γὰρ ἐν ταῖς κατ᾽ εὐχὴν ἑορταῖς ἐξ ἑωθινοῦ 


, 4 , 
συνταττειν TA συμποσίια. 


i ee Son 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 121 


XVIII. 
EvUSTACHYS TO PITHACION. 


As I am keeping my son’s birthday, 
I invite you to the feast. Bring your 
wife, your children, your servant, and 


_ even the dog, if you like. He is a trusty 


protector, and his loud barking will scare 
away those who have evil designs upon 
our flocks: I am sure he will not disdain 
to make one of the party. We will spend 
the day in joviality; we will drink till 
we are drunk; and, when we have had 
enough, we will take to singing. If there 
is any one of us who knows how to 
dance the Cordax, he can step out into 
the middle, and delight the company. 
Answer me at once, for, on festive occa- 
sions, one must begin to make all pre- 
parations in the morning. 


16—2 


122 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


XIX. 
Πιθακίων Evorayvi. 


‘ ” ‘ , + 
Kowwukos ὧν καὶ φιλέταιρος ὄναιο σαυ- 
“ A “- ‘ 3 “A , 5 
τοῦ, καὶ τῆς γυναικὸς, Kal τῶν παιδίων, ὦ 
\ \ \ μον , 
Εὔσταχυ' ἐγὼ δὲ τὸν κλῶπα φωράσας, ἐφ᾽ 
ἊΝ , A ae 4 , 
ᾧ πάλαι ἤσχαλλον, τὴν ἐχέτλην ὑφελομένῳ 
A pe , + ᾿ ~ A 
kat δύο δρεπάνας, ἔχω παρ᾽ ἐμαντῷ, τοὺς 
, 9 , >’ , ΄“ A 
κωμήτας ἀναμένων ἐπικούρου. Νῦν yap 
9 3 , “ , Eat A , 
οὐκ ἐδοκίμαζον, ἀσθενέστερος ὧν καὶ μόνος, 
A - 3 ’ Δ, ὦ ε A ‘ A 
τὼ χεῖρε ἐπιβάλλειν αὐτῷ" ὁ μὲν yap δριμὺ 
/ A “ ‘ 9 “ A 
βλέπει, καὶ τοξοποιεῖ τὰς ὀφρῦς, καὶ 
“ A \ » ‘ «ς Ν A 
σφριγῶντας ἔχει τοὺς ὥμους, Kal ἁδρὰν THY 
> a , eyes | A ε \ ~ , 
ἐπιγουνίδα φαίνει' eyw δὲ ὑπὸ τῶν πόνων, 
~ , , A , A 
καὶ τῆς δικέλλης κατέσκληκα, καὶ τύλους μὲν 
᾽ - A + ’ ὔ ‘ 
ἐν ταῖς χερσίν ἔχω, λεπτότερον δὲ μοι TO 
ἢ ε 4 > 4 4 Ny 
δέρμα λεβηρίδο. Ἢ μὲν οὖν γυνὴ καὶ τὰ 
“ ἐ “ ᾿ “ ’ ’ , 
παιδία εἴσω βαδιοῦνται, καὶ τῆς εὐωχίας μεθέ- 
ε A ’ ~ + 4 a 
ξουσιν' ὁ δὲ σύργαστρος μαλακῶς ἔχει τὰ νῦν' 


3's A ἃ, oe , ‘ Ν x , 
ἔγω δε καὶ ἡ κύων TOV μιαρὸν οἴκοι φυλάξομεν. 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 122 


XIX. 
PITHACION TO EUSTACHYsS. 


My best wishes to you and your wife 
and children, my dear Eustachys, for 
being so ready to share your pleasures 
with your friends. I have caught the 
thief, who caused me such annoyance by 
stealing a plough-handle and two sickles. 
I have got him safe under lock and key, 
and am waiting for the neighbours to 
come and help me. For, being alone and 
infirm, I have not ventured to lay hands 
upon him myself. He has a savage look 
and arches his brows, his shoulders are 
stalwart, his legs are stout and strong; 
whereas I am exhausted by labour and 
- handling the mattock, my hands are horny, 
my skin is as thin as the slough of a 
serpent. My wife and children will come 
to do honour to your feast. My servant 
is ill, so I cannot leave the house: I 
must stay at home with the dog and 
mount guard over the prisoner. 


123 AAKI@PONOY PHTOPOZ 


XX. 
Ναπαῖος Κρηνιάδῃ. 


5 , . , \ » a 4 
Οἶσθα με ἐπισαξαντα τὴν ὄνον σῦκα καὶ 
, a ἢ 3 of a κ 
παλαθας; καταγαγόντα οὗν, ἕως οὗ ταῦτα 
ς ’ “ A , 3 ’ 
ἀπεδόμην τῶν τινὶ γνωρίμων, ἄγει μὲ τις 
ι ἢ ᾿ , \ ’ ἊΝ a 
λαβὼν εἰς τὸ θέατρον, καὶ καθίσας ἐν καλῷ, 
, , κ᾿ \ ® 
διαφόροις ἐψυχαγώγει θεωρίαις. Tas μεν οὖν 
4 
57 “ “ 4 “ tA Ν Ἁ 
ἄλλας οὐ συνέχω τῇ μνήμῃ, εἰμὶ γὰρ Ta 
A 4 sav δ ἊΝ “ , τὰ 
τοιαῦτα καὶ εἰδεναι καὶ ἀπαγγελλειν κακὸς" ἕν 
Δ; das ? A 9 , A wn “ Ε 
δὲ ἰδων, ἀχανῆς ἐγώ σοι καὶ μικροῦ δεῖν ἄναυδος. 
δ᾿ ’ 2 , \ Ἁ , 
Kis yap τις εἰς μέσους παρελθὼν, καὶ στήσας 
. Y 
fr πὶ 4 ’ ld 
τρίποδα, τρεῖς μικρὰς παρετίθει παροψν»ίδας, 
oy e ‘ , + , 4 A 
εἶτα ὑπὸ ταύταις ἔσκεπε μικρὰ τινα Kal λευκα 
A , , a > A - 
καὶ στρογγύλα λιθίδια, οἷα ἡμεῖς ἐπὶ ταῖς 
+ “~ , ς τ , “ 
ὄχθαις τῶν χειμάῤῥων ἀνευρίσκομεν: ταῦτα 


‘ A A , 7 , A 
ποτε μὲν KATA μίαν ἔσκεπε TapoYida, ποτε 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 123 


XX. 
NAPAEUS TO CRENIADES. 


You remember the day when I had 
loaded my ass with green and dried figs? 
After I had taken him to the stable, and 
sold the figs to one of my friends, someone 
took me to the theatre, where he put me 
into a good place, and gave me a treat of 
all kinds of spectacles. Although I forgot 
what else I saw—since I am not at all 
clever at understanding or giving an ac- 
count of such things—I remember one 
thing, which struck me dumb with as- 
tonishment. A man came forward with 
a three-legged table. On this he placed 
three little cups, under which he hid 
some little round white pebbles, such 
as we find on the bank of a torrent. 
At one time he put them separately, one 
under each cup; at another time he 
showed them, all together, under one cup; 


124 AAKISPONOY PHTOPOZ 


‘ 3 a0) “ « ‘ ry OE ἀφ, ’ ‘ 
δε, οὐκ οἵδ᾽ ὅπως, ὑπὸ TH μιᾷ ἐδείκνυ, ποτε 
A ~ ° ‘ “~ , ’ ‘ 
δὲ παντελῶς ἀπὸ τῶν παροψίδων ἠφάνιζε, Kat 
8 τα “ , + > 
ἐπὶ TOU στόματος ἔφαινεν: εἶτα καταβροχ- 
, Ἁ , « “ + “5 
θίσας, τοὺς πλησίον ἑστῶτας ἄγων εἰς μέσον, 
‘ A > ε ‘ \ ‘ q- 9 9 , ‘ ‘ 
τὴν μὲν EK ῥινὸς τινὸς, THY δὲ EE ὠτίου, THY δὲ 
? A 5 “ A , , ? 
ex κεφαλῆς ἀνῃρεῖτο" καὶ πάλιν ἀνελόμενος εξ 
" ~ 5 , , 3 
ὀφθαλμῶν ἐποίει. Κλεπτίστατος ἄνθρωπος, 
e ‘ εἴ " ’ , Ἁ 9 
ὑπερ ὃν ἀκούομεν Εὐρυβάτην τὸν Οἰχαλιέα. 
A , 9.2 Ἁ ΄σ , 9. 4 
My γένοιτο kat ἀγρὸν τοιοῦτο θηρίον, οὐ yap 
e , wee 9 Ἁ A , e , 
ἁλώσεται UT OUdEVOS, καὶ πάντα ὑφαιρούμενος 
Ao Ags ‘ ie ‘ " , 
τὰ ἔνδον, φροῦδα μοι τὰ KAT ἀγρὸν ἀπεργά- 


σεται. 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 124 


then he made them disappear from the 
cups, I don’t know how, and showed them, 
the next moment, in his mouth. After 
this he swallowed them, called some of 
the spectators on to the platform, and 
pulled out of their nose, head, and ears 
the pebbles which he ended by juggling 
away altogether. What a clever thief 
the man must be, far sharper than Eury- 
bates of Oechalia, of whom we have often 
heard. I am sure I don’t want to see 
him in the country; since nobody would 
be able to catch him in the act, he 
would plunder the house without being 
noticed. What then would become of the 
fruit of my labours? 


‘ 


125 AAKISPONOZ PHTOPOZ 


XXI. 
Εὐνάπη Τλαύκῃ. 


ς A a9 ° , 9 , U 
O μὲν ἀνὴρ ἀπόδημος ἐστί μοι, τρίτην 
, ε , + ? 5 ε κ ’ 
ταύτην ἡμέραν ἔχων ἐν ἄστει" ὃ δὲ θητεύων 
a , / , 
παρ᾽ ἡμῖν ἸΤαρμένων, ζημία καθαρὰ, pabv- 
wv A ‘ A , 
μος ἄνθρωπος, καὶ τὰ πολλὰ καταπίπτων 
+ . Η͂ , " , , 
εἰς ὕπνον. O δὲ λύκος ἀργαλέος πάροικος, 
A ’ “ΔΩ ιν ’ , 
kat βλέπων φονῶδές τι καὶ ὠμοβόρον, Χιόνην 
4 , , “ hie ’ ἴω , 
τὴν καλλιστὴν τῶν αἰγῶν ἐκ τοῦ φελλέως 
ς , 7 NOE A Bad ; 
ἁρπάσας οἴχεται" καὶ ὃ μὲν δειπνεῖ ἀγαθὴν 
Ss 4 3 , > \ A , ~ 
αἶγα καὶ εὐγάλακτον, eyw δὲ dakpva τῶν 
9 a ? r , ‘ , 
ὀφθαλμῶν ἀπολείβω.ς ἸΠέπυσται δὲ τούτων 
oat e γα , . Η , , A 9 
οὐδὲν ὁ ἀνήρ" εἰ δὲ μάθῃ, κρεμήσεται μὲν ἐκ 
“ ε ’ ° , 4 
τῆς πλησίον πίτυος ὁ μισθωτός" αὐτὸς δὲ 
> aK Ψ ° , , 
οὐ πρότερον ἀνήσει πάντα μηχανώμενος, 


‘ 4A A an , , "5 ’ 
Tply τὰς παρὰ Tov λύκου δίκας εἰσπράξασθαι. 


ee ey Ἐν, ΣΝ Ψας = 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 125 


XXII. 
EUNAPE TO GLAUCE. 


My husband has been in town for 
three days, and Parmeno, our servant, 
does nothing but damage; he is so care- 
less, and spends all his time in sleeping. 
We have in our neighbourhood a wolf, 
whose savage appearance indicates his 
ferocious instincts. He has carried off 
Chione, the finest of our goats, from 
the stony field. Now he is making a 
meal of the poor creature, which gave us 
milk in such abundance, and I am left 
to lament her loss. My husband knows 
nothing about it as yet. When he hears 
of it, he will hang up the hireling on the 
nearest pine-tree, and will not be satisfied 
until he has done everything in his power 
to wreak vengeance upon the wolf. 


126 ΑΛΚΙΦΡΟΝΟΣ PHTOPOZ 


XXII. 
IloAvaAcos Εὐσπταφύλῳ. 


’ 4 4 
Ilaynv ἔστησα ἐπὶ Tas papas. ἀλώπεκας, 
, ~ , , 4 
κρεάδιον τῆς σκανδάλας ἀφάψας. ᾿Επεὶ yap 
> , ‘. \ A 5) , \ 
ἐπολέμουν Tas oTadvAas, Kal οὐ μόνον Tas 
, 
payas ἔκοπτον, ἀλλ᾽ ἤδη καὶ ὁλοκλήρους ἀπέ- 
~ ee A , e , 
τεμνον τῶν οἰνάρων τοὺς βότρυς, ὁ δεσπότης 
A , 
de ἐπιστήσεσθαι KatyyyedAeTo: (ἀργαλέος 
3 ‘ A , 4 
ἄνθρωπος καὶ δριμὺς, γνωμίδια καὶ προ- 
, “ A ~ ‘ 
βουλευμάτια συνεχῶς ἐπὶ τῆς πνυκὸς ᾿Αθη- 
\ a” 
vaiols εἰσηγούμενος, Kat πολλοὺς ἤδη διὰ 
σκαιότητα τρόπου καὶ δεινότητα ῥημάτων 
" A \ [7 " ’ , , 
ἐπὶ τοὺς “ἕνδεκα ἀγαγὼν) δείσας, μή τι 
, " Ἁ A an , , 
πάθοιμι Kayw, Kal ταῦτα τοιούτου δεσπότου 
\ 
ὄντος, τὴν κλέπτην ἀλώπεκα συλλαβὼν ἐβου- 
~ 4 a 
λόμην παραδοῦναι. ᾿Αλλ᾽ ἡ μὲν οὐχ ἧκε" 
A A Ἷ a ε 
Πλαγγὼν δὲ, τὸ Μελιταῖον κυνίδιον, ὃ 


, + re , A ς ‘ 
Tpepomev ἄθυρμα τῇ δεσποίνῃ προσηνὲς, ὑπὸ 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 126 


XXII. 
POLYALSUS TO EUSTAPHYLUS. 


I sET a trap for those confounded 
foxes, and hung some pieces of meat on 
the trap. They ravaged my vines, and, 
not content with picking a few grapes, 
carried off whole bunches and pulled up 
the plants. The news came that our 
master would soon be here; he has the 
reputation of being harsh and bitter, a 
man who, at Athens, is always worrying 
the assembly with all sorts of proposals, 
not to mention that his spitefulness and 
violent speeches have brought many to the 
Eleven. With such a man, how could I 
help being afraid of the same lot? That 
is the reason why I was so anxious to 
hand over to him the thief who stole 
his grapes. Alas! no fox appeared; but 
Plangon, the little Maltese dog, which is 
kept for our mistress’s amusement, smelt 


17 AAKI®PONOX PHTOPOZ 


“~ + , 2A Ἁ e ~ 
τῆς ἄγαν λιχνείας ἐπὶ TO κρέας ὁρμῆσαν, 
“ id , , ε ie 9 , 
κεῖταί σοι τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἐκταδῆν, 

\ “ a > ee “- 
νεκρὸν, ἤδη μυδῆσαν. "Ἐλαθον οὖν ἐπὶ κακῷ 
‘ ι] e , 4 , 5 , , 
κακὸν ἀναῤῥιπίσας. Kat τίς παρ᾽ ἀνθρώπῳ 

~ ~ , 4 , 
σκυθρωπῷ τῶν τοιούτων συγγνώμη; Φευξό- 
- A , Ne? ‘ ‘ 
μεθα 7 ποδῶν ἔχομεν, χαιρέτω δὲ ὁ ἀγρὸς Kal 
> A ’ o Ret , > x ι 
τἀμὰ πάντα' ὥρα γὰρ σάζειν ἐμαυτὸν, καὶ 
Α a “ , ’ A ‘ ~ “- 
μὴ παθεῖν ἀναμένειν, ἀλλὰ πρὸ τοῦ παθεῖν 


φυλάξασθαι. 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 127 


the bait and flung himself upon it, for he 
is a terrible glutton. For three days he 
has been stretched on his back, lifeless, 
almost in a state of putrefaction. With- 
out thinking, I have brought one misfor- 
tune upon another. How can I hope for 
pardon from a man of such cruel dispo- 
sition as our master? No, I will run 
away as fast as my legs can carry me. 
Good-bye to country life and all that I 
possess. It is high time to save myself, 
and not to wait for misfortune, but to 
look after myself before it comes. 


ι 


123 ΑΛΚΙΦΡΟΝΟΣ ΡΗΤΟΡΟΣ 


XXIII. 
Θάλλος Πιτυΐστῳ. 


, A ΄“ 4 ~ 
Ilavra φιλῶ τρυγᾶν, ἔστι yap τὸ καρπῶν 
, 
ἀποδρέπεσθαι πόνων ἀμοιβὴ δίκαιος: ἐξαιρέ- 
A ‘ v7 
two δὲ ἐθέλω βλίττειν τὰ σμήνη. "Ἐχων 
> , Te a , 9 ’ 
οὖν, σίμβλους ὑπὸ τῇ πέτρᾳ ἀποκλάσας, 
~ “A 4 > a - 
κηρία νεογενῆ, πρῶτον μὲν οὖν τοῖς θεοῖς 
, ~ ~ 
ἀπηρξάμην, ἔπειτα δὲ τοῖς φίλοις ὑμῖν 
’ A - 
ἀπάρχομαι. "Korte δὲ λευκὰ ἰδεῖν, καὶ ἀπο- 
, , “- 
στάζοντα λιβάδας ᾿Αττικοῦ μέλιτος, οἷον αἱ 
Βριλησίαι λαγόνες ἐξανθοῦσι. Kat νῦν μὲν 
΄“ ’ A 9 ’ὔ A 7 
ταῦτα πέμπομεν, καὶ εἰς νέωτα δὲ δέχοιο 


φ ie τινα , , ᾿ ἐδ 
TAP ἡμῶν μείζω τουτῶν και ηἠοιονα. 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 128 


XXIII. 
THALLUS TO PITYISTUS. 


I LOvE to cull the fruits of the earth, 
of whatever kind they are; for the gather- 
ing-in of the harvest is a fitting reward 
of our labours; but what I am particu- 
larly fond of is to rob the hives of their 
honey. I have just paid a visit to some 
hives which I found amongst the rocks. 
They have provided me with some honey- 
combs, quite fresh. I offered the first- 
fruits of them to the gods; you, my 
friends, must now have a share of what 
is left. They are white in colour, and 
distil drops of Attic honey, such as is 
found in the caverns of Brilessus. For the 
moment, I send you this as a present; 
next year you shall have something bigger 
and more agreeable. 


17 


129 AAKI®PONOX PHTOPOZ 


XXIV. 
Φιλοποίμην Μοσχίωνι. 


/ \ Ἁ ς 
Λύκον ἔοικα τρέφειν. To μιαρὸν ἀνδρα- 
ἘΝ 4 9 \ > " a 
ποδον ἐμπεσὼν εἰς τὰς αἶγας, οὐκ ἔστιν 
Ὁ Ψ ° 7, ‘ A 9 ’ 
ἥντινα οὐκ ἀπολώλεκε, Tas μὲν ἀποδόμενος, 
A δὲ θύ K A ΦΆ 4 ¢ A a 
τὰς δὲ καταθύων. αἱ τῳ μὲν ἡ γαστὴρ τῆς 
[ 9 , A ‘ 4 a 
κραιπάλης ἐμπίμπλαται, καὶ Ta λοιπὰ TH 
“ Ἀ “ A 
τενθείᾳ δαπανᾶται, καὶ ψάλλεται, καὶ KaTav- 
- 4 \ - , - 
λεῖται, καὶ πρὸς τοῖς μυροπωλείοις φιληδεῖ" 
κ ‘ »” » > ere oe : , 
Ta δὲ αὕλια ἔρημα, αἶγες de ἐκεῖναι ai πρό- 
a , ι a e ; ” 
τερον οἴχονται. Τέως μὲν οὖν ἡσυχίαν ἄγω, 
A ’ , , , 
μὴ προαισθόμενος ψύττα κατατείνας φύγῃ; 
ς 4 ° , , , .- A 9 
εἰ δὲ ἀνυπόπτως λαβοίμην αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐγκρα- 
\ U , \ a , 
τῆς γενοίμην, δεδήσεται TH χεῖρε, χοίνικας 
᾿ A “” , 
παχείας κεπισύρων' καὶ τῇ σκαπανῇ Tpos- 
’ ς Χ ὯΝ , \ , ~ 
ἀνέχων, ὑπο TH δικελλῃ καὶ TH σμινύῃ τῆς 
4 wn 9 4 A 
μὲν τρυφῆς ἐπιλήσεται, παθὼν δὲ, οἷόν ἐστι 


’; \ A + ’ “5 7 
YVOCETAL TO Τὴν αΎΡρΟΙΚΟν σωφροσύνην ασπα- 


ζεσθαι. 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 129 


XXIV. 
PHILOPOEMEN TO MOSCHION. 


IT seems to me that I am keeping a 
wolf in my house. My confounded slave 
falls upon my goats and does not spare 
a single one; he has sold some, and 
sacrificed others. His belly is swollen with 
gorging, and he spends what he has left 
on his gluttony. He amuses himself with 
pipe and flute-players, and delights in 
the perfumers’ shops. In the meantime 
the stalls are deserted, and the flocks of 
goats which I once had have disappeared. 
However, I keep quite quiet, that he may 
not get suspicious and take to flight. In 
this manner I hope to surprise him. If 
I catch hold of him, he shall have his 
hands bound, and he shall be made to drag 
heavy chains along with him. Then, the 
rake, the pick, and the hoe shall help 
him to forget his luxurious habits; he 
shall learn to his sorrow what it means to 
choose the temperate life of a countryman. 

17—2 


130  AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


ΧΧν. 
Ὕλη Noni. 


’ . . ΚΓ ‘ a , 
Θαμίζεις εἰς TO ἄστυ. κατιὼν, ὦ Nome, 
\ A 9 4 salt “" ~ , « - 
καὶ τὸν ἀγρὸν οὐδὲ axapy θέλεις ὁρᾶν. 
7A “ Liye A 7 “ ᾽ , 
pyet δὲ ἡ γῆ χηρεύουσα τῶν ἐμπονούντων" 
δ᾽ εχξ, ‘ 5] “ , Ν “ , “ 
ἐγὼ δὲ οἰκουρῶ μόνη, μετὰ τῆς Σύρας ἀγα- 
΄“- 4 , ~ A 4 “- 
πητῶς τὰ παιδία βουκολοῦσα. Σὺ δὲ ἡμῖν 
9 , , » , 
αὐτόχρημα μεσαιπόλιος ἄνθρωπος, μειρά- 
᾿] Ἁ % , “ ’ὔ , 4 
κιον ἀστικὸν ἀνεφανης" ἀκούω γὰρ σε τὰ 
4 A , A ~ 
πολλὰ ἐπὶ Σκίρονυ καὶ ἹΚεραμεικοῦ διατρί- 
δ᾿ κ ‘Ba ἢ a ‘ 
Bev, οὗ φασὶ τοὺς ἐξωλεστάτους σχολῇ Kat 


ε ’ A , 4 
βρβαστωνῇ τον βίον καταναλίσκειν. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 130 


XXV. 
HyLE To NomIvus. 


You are too fond of visiting the city, 
Nomius, and do not condescend to look 
at the country for a moment. Our de- 
serted fields no longer produce any crops, 
for want of someone to attend to them. 
I am obliged to remain at home with 
Syra, and do the best I can to support 
the children. And you, an old man with 
grey hairs, play the young Athenian 
dandy. I am told that you spend the 
greater part of your time in Scirus and 
the Ceramicus, which is said to be the 
meeting-place of worthless persons, who 
go there to spend their time in idleness 
and sloth. 


131 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


XXVI. 
Aynvatos Κορύδωνι. 


+ ‘ 4 Ἁ 
Ἄρτι μοι τὴν ἅλω διακαθήραντι, καὶ τὸ 
, ° , ε , 9 ’ ‘ 
πτύον ἀποτιθεμένῳ ὁ δεσπότης ἐπέστη" Kal 
A A , , 
ἰδὼν, ἐφίλει τὴν φιλεργίαν: ᾿Εφαάνη δέ μοι 
A , , , 
ποθὲν ὁ ἸΚωρύκειος δαίμων, Στρόμβιχος ὁ 
, 904 , 5 , ἄς 
παμπόνηρος" ἰδὼν γὰρ me ἐφεπόμενον τῷ 
’ , ‘ , τ ° , 
δεσπότῃ, κειμένην THY σισύραν, ἣν ἀποθέμενος 
J , e κ , + , e 
εἰργαζόμην, ὑπὸ μάλης ᾧχετο φέρων, ὡς 
ς la , A \ 93 ‘ “ ς 
ὁμοῦ ζημίαν, καὶ τὸν ἀπὸ τῶν ὁμοδούλων 


προσοφλῆσαι γέλωτα. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 131 


XXVI. 
LENAEUS To CORYDON. 


Just now, after I had cleaned the 
threshing-floor, and was laying down the 
winnowing- fan, the master came up, 
looked on, and praised my industry. But 
that rascal Strombichus, like a cunning and 
malicious sprite, seeing that I was follow- 
ing my master, took my goatskin which I 
had taken off during my work, and carried 
it away under his arm. I was obliged to 
put up with the loss, and, in addition, 
the laughter of my comrades. 


132 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


XXVIT. 


TéueAAos Σαλμωνίδι. 


> 


, “ A ¢ - 
Τί ταῦτα, ὦ Σαλμωνὶς, ὑπερηφανεῖς, τά- 
9 κι] 9 
λαινα; οὐκ ἐγώ σε εἰς τοὐργαστήριον καθη- 
A ‘ ° , \ e , 
μένην Tapa τὸν ἀκέστὴν τὸν ἑτερόποδα 
5 ’ 4 qn ᾿ , ἕο Pat 
ἀνειλόμην ; καὶ ταῦτα λαθραίως τῆς μητρός; 
A U δ," , 9 A ° , 
kat καθάπερ τινὰ ἐπίκληρον ἐγγυητὴν ayayo- 
aS A A U , 
μενος ἔχω; Σὺ de φρνυαττῃ, παιδισκάριον 
b A ‘ , ‘ , 
€UTEAES, καὶ κιχλίζουσα καὶ μωκωμένη με 
- ΕῚ , ’ ~ ο , 2 
διατελεῖς. Οὐ παύσῃ τάλαινα τῆς ἀγερωχίας:; 
9 , ‘ 9 ἢ ’ , A 
εγὼ σοι Tov ἐραστὴν δείξω δεσπότην, Kal 
’ rome. ~ " “A , 5 Ud 
Kaxpus ἐπὶ τῶν ἀγρῶν φρύγειν ἀναπείσω" 
A , ΕΙΣ A eo ~ A 
καὶ τότε εἴσῃ μαθοῦσα, οἵων κακῶν σεαυτὴν 


ἔνδον ἔθηκας. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON — 132 


XXVII. 
GEMELLUS TO SALMONIS. 


UnuaAppy Salmonis! what means this 
haughty behaviour towards your master? 
You seem to forget that I rescued you 
from the lame botcher’s shop, without 
letting my mother know anything about 
it. Did I not after that instal you in 
my house as my lawful wife, who will 
inherit all my property? And yet, you 
worthless hussy, you put on these airs, 
laugh in my face, and always treat me 
with contempt. Wretch, leave off this 
insolent behaviour, or I will show you 
that your lover is your master. I will 
send you to roast barley in the country, 
and then you will understand, to your 
cost, to what unhappiness you have 
brought yourself. 


133 AAKI®PONOL PHTOPOZ 


XXVIII. 
Σ ἀλ θεὰ Γεμέλλῳ. 


, ς , “ ἼΝ ‘ a 
Ilavra ὑπομένειν οἵα τε εἶμι, πλὴν TOU 
’ ἤ Α 4 , 
σοι συγκαθεύδειν, δέσποτα. Kat τὴν νύκτα 
ἀντὶ Oe, ὅλ 9 A A 77 + , 
οὐκ ἔφυγον οὐδὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς θαμνοις expvTTomny, 
e > , 9 A ‘4 , « “~ 
ws ἐδόκεις, ἀλλὰ THY κάρδοπον ὑπεισελθοῦσα 
3 , ° , Ἁ »" a , 
ἐκείμην, ἀμφιθεμένη τὸ κοῖλον τοῦ σκεύους 
3 , A A , , ‘ 
εἰς καλυμμα. ᾿Ἐὐπειδὴ de κέκρικα βρόχῳ τὸν 
, 5 -“ + 7 κ] \ 
βίον ἐκλιπεῖν, ἄκουε, λέγω σοι ἀναφανδὸν 
, Λ “ , Ἁ 
(πάντα γάρ μου περιαιρεῖ φόβον ἡ πρὸς 
\ la 5 4 , 
τὸ τελευτᾶν ὁρμή), ἐγώ σε, ὦ Τέμελλε, 
~ nw 4A ’ \ ’ 
στυγῶ, τοῦτο μὲν βδελυττομένη τὸ βαρος 
σι ’ A ¢ , 3 
τοῦ σώματος, καὶ ὥσπερ τι κίναδος ἐκτρεπο- 
, an A A , “ , 
μένη" τοῦτο δε, THY δυσχέρειαν τοῦ στομα- 
" » , A , A 
TOS, ἐκ TOU μυχαιτάτου τῆς φαρυγγος THY 
Ud , \ “ Ε] , 
δυσοσμίαν ἐκπέμποντος. Kaxos κακῶς ἀπό- 
~ , , , n~ 
λοιο τοιοῦτος wv. Βάδιζε παρά τινα λημῶσαν 
+ ΄΄ ee | εν , , 
ἄγροικον γραῦν ἐπὶ evi γομφίῳ σαλεύουσαν, 


ἀληλιμμένην τῷ τῆς πίττης ἐλαίῳ.. 





a 0 a Pe ee ree, ae μον 
Ε aoe Fe See a 
Yrs Oy ee 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 133 


XXVITI. 
SALMONIS TO GEMELLUS. 


I AM ready to suffer anything, master, 
rather than sleep with you. Last night 
I did not run away, or hide myself in 
the bushes, as you imagined ; I was lying 
under the kneading-trough, with which I 
covered myself. And now, since I have 
made up my mind to hang myself, I 
am not afraid to speak frankly to you, 
Gemellus, for my resolution to die removes 
all my fear. Hear then what I have to 
say. I hate you; I loathe your unwieldy 
person; your manners, like those of a 
wild beast, frighten me; the smell from 
your mouth is like poison. Wretch that 
you are, may you perish wretchedly! 
Meanwhile, go and look for some blear- 
eyed old woman, who has only one tooth 
left, and is anointed with rancid oil. 


134 AAKI®PPONOZ PHTOPOZ 


XXIX,. 
+ , 
Opios ᾿Ανθοφορίωνι. 
U > , ε Pe | 
Ἢ πισταμην σε, ὦ ᾿Ανθοφορίων, amXoikov 
“" x 4 ς᾽ , 4 5" Ἀ ~ 
εἶναι ἄνθρωπον, καὶ αὐτόχρημα τὸν ἀπὸ τῆς 
5 , + + , \ 
ἀγροικίας ἄγροικον, ὄζοντα στεμφύλων Kat 
’ , ry , A of x > 
κόνιν πνέοντα. ἤγνόουν δε, OTL dewos εἶ 
ε, ec A ‘ 2 7, ~ ᾿] 
ῥήτωρ, ὑπὲρ τοὺς ἐν Μητιχείῳ τῶν ἀλλο- 
, “ 9 ~ , κ᾿ 
τρίων ἕνεκεν ἀδικομαχοῦντας. Κινήσας γὰρ 
, A ~ , ’ » ᾿] + 
ἀπὸ TOU κωμάρχου δίκας ἔναγχος, οὐκ ἐστιν 
[7 , MEA, | , 5 ’ , 
ἥντινα οὐχὶ νικήσας amndAd\ayns. Μακαριε 
an , A , , A 
τῆς γλώσσης, καὶ λαλίστερε τρυγόνος. "Eyw 
A , “ ‘ ~ , 
δὲ ἑρμαίῳ σοι χρῶμαι, TO TOU λόγου: ἔκκειμαι 
a , , 4 , 
yap τοῖς βουλομένοις τἀμὰ σφετερίζεσθαι, 
\ “ “ A ε , \ ~ sat 
καὶ ἀγαπῶ τὴν ἡσυχίαν, καὶ ταῦτα εἰδως, 
oe . " nw ᾿] ’ὔ ’ 
ὅτι μοι πολλὰ εκ τῆς ἀπραγμοσύνης φύεται 


πράγματα. 





LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 134 


ΧΧΙΧ, 
OriIus TO ANTHOPHORION. 


UNTIL now I always believed that you 
were a quiet, simple fellow, who had be- 
come a regular countryman, smelling of 
pressed olives and reeking with dust; but 
I did not know that you were a clever 
speaker, superior even to those who plead in 
foreign commercial cases in the Meticheum. 
It seems that you have taken to pleading 
causes before the village magistrates, and 
that, since then, you have always gained 
the day. Good luck to you! with your 
tongue you will become a greater chat- 
terer than a turtle-dove. As the proverb 
says, I shall make use of you as a wind- 
fall. I am daily exposed to the greed of 
certain persons who have designs upon 
my property; you shall defend me. I 
love peace and quietness, but I know 
that my carelessness and inactivity often 
cause me trouble and annoyance. 


135  AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


XXX. 
᾿Αμπελίων Ἐϊὐέργῳ. 


A e Ἁ ‘ “ \ 3 πον 
Πολὺς ὁ χειμὼν TO τῆτες, καὶ οὐδενὶ ἐξι- 
, \ Ἁ 
τητόν. Ἰ]άντα ἡ χιὼν κατείληφε, καὶ λευ- 
, / , 9 4 
κανθίζουσιν οὐχ of λόφοι μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ 
1 a ~ ~ ς ’ \ »+ ° 4A 
τὰ κοῖλα τῆς γῆς" ἀπορία de ἔργων, ἀργὸν 
δι » / “ ~ 
de καθίζειν ὄνειδο. ἹΤΠροκύψναας δῆτα τῆς 
, ° , \ ’ 
καλύβης, οὐκ ἔφθην παρανοίξας τὸ θυρίον, 
‘ αἱ \ ve = ~ of ᾿ , 
καὶ ὁρῶ σὺν τῷ νιῴφετῳ δῆμον ὅλον ὀρνέων 
, a ἢ ‘ , 
φερόμενον, καὶ κοψίχους Kat κίχλας. Ev- 
, > ᾿] ‘ A , , , 9A 
θέως οὖν ἀπὸ τῆς λεκάνης ἀνασπάσας ἰξὸν 
’ “ ς , ‘ U Ν 
ἐπαλείφω τῶν ἀχράδων τοὺς κλάδους" καὶ 
tA 4 \ , ’ , A 
ὅσον οὕπω TO νέφος ἐπέστη τῶν στρουθίων, 
‘ lal ? “ ? , 3 4 
καὶ πᾶσαι ἐκ τῶν OpodauYeY ἐκρέμαντο, 
/ eat “ ’ , \ a 
θέαμα ἡδὺ, πτερῶν ἐχόμεναι, καὶ κεφαλῆς 
‘ fa 9 , , , 
καὶ ποδῶν εἰλημμένα. Ἔκ τούτων λάχος 
4 \ Ε ; “ , 
σοι τὰς πίονας καὶ εὐσάρκους ἀπέσταλκα 
’ 4 A 4 ἢ \ a 
πέντε εἴκοσι.  Kowov yap ἀγαθὸν τοῖς 
“ο a , A A ~ 
ἀγαθοῖς" φθονούντων δὲ of πονηροὶ τῶν 


, 
γειτόνων. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 135 


XXX. 
AMPELION TO EVERGUS. 


THE winter is very severe this year, 
and no one is able to go out. The snow 
has not only covered the earth, it has 
also whitened the hills and valleys. One 
must give up all idea of work, although 
it is disgraceful to remain idle. To amuse 
myself, I tried to look out. No sooner 
was my door opened than I saw, together 
with the falling snow, a regular flock of 
blackbirds and thrushes. I had some 
birdlime all ready prepared in a jar, and 
quickly smeared it over some wild pear- 
tree branches. The birds flung themselves 
upon it in swarms, and then found them- 
selves caught by the branches. It was a 
treat to see them—some hanging by their 
wings, others by the head or claws. I 
picked out a couple of dozen of the 
fattest and plumpest amongst them, and 
I send them to you. Honest people ought 
to share one another’s luck; let my ill-dis- 
posed neighbours be jealous if they please! 


136 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


XXXI. 
Φιλόκωμος Θεστύλλῳ. 


3 ’ " + Ν 595λ. 9λ 
Οὐπώποτε εἰς ἄστυ καταβὰς, οὐδὲ εἰδὼς 
’ ’ 93 « / ~ ‘ 
τί ποτέ ἐστιν ἡ λεγομένη πόλις, ποθῶ TO 
‘ “- ’ 9 -“ Α , 
καινὸν τοῦτο θέαμα ἰδεῖν, ὑφ᾽ ἑνὶ περιβόλῳ 
nw ° , A 4 + “ 
κατοικοῦντας ἀνθρώπους, καὶ τὰ ἄλλα ὅσα 
, t ) , ~ > a 
διαφέρει πόλις ἀγροικίας μαθεῖν. Ki οὖν 
, can , a 
σοι πρόφασις ὁδοῦ ἄστυδε γένηται, ἧκε 
> 7 a οἰ τίν . oF κ a 3 
ἀπαξων νῦν κἀμέ: καὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ δεῖν οἶμαι 
a“ al a 7 ‘ 
τοῦ πλεῖόν τι μαθεῖν, ἤδη μοι Bpvew θριξὶ 
Se ON ἡ » , , @ , ee 
τῆς ὑπήνης ἀρχομένης. Tis οὖν δή με κἀκεῖ 
- 9 , a Ἁ ε Ν A 
μυσταγωγεῖν ἐπιτήδειος, ἢ σὺ, ὁ τὰ πολλὰ 


εἴσω πυλῶν ἀλινδούμενος ; 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 136 


XXXI. 
PHILOCOMUS TO THESTYLLUS. 


SINCE I have never yet been in Athens, 
and do not know what kind of a thing 
that is which is called a city, I am 
curious to see that fresh sight—people 
confined within the same inclosure—and 
to learn the difference between the in- 
habitants of town and country. If, there- 
fore, you have any occasion to go to the 
city, come and fetch me; we will go 
together. I think I ought to try and 
increase my knowledge, now that my 
beard is beginning to sprout. And who 
could initiate me into the mysteries of 
the city better than yourself? You have 
entered its gates often enough. 


18 


137 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOD 


XXXII. 


Σκοπιάδης Σκοτίωνι. 


“" 


, ’ χὰ , . 3 
Βαλλ᾽ ἐς μακαρίαν. Οἷον κακόν ἐστιν ὦ 
, ς , 5 4 ε 5] , 
Σκοτίων ἡ μέθη. ᾿μπεσὼν γὰρ εἰς συμπό- 
/ J ’ὔ , A 
σιον κακοδαιμόνων ἀνθρώπων (οἰνόφλνγες δὲ 
, > ‘ ta A , x a 
πάντες ἦσαν, καὶ οὐδεὶς τῷ μέτρῳ TO πιεῖν 
᾽᾿ “ A , “᾿ ,ὔ 
ἔστεργε᾽ συνεχῶς δὲ περιφερομένης τῆς κύλι- 
93 a “" ’ 9 7 ~ 
KOS, ἣν τοῖς ἀρνουμένοις τοὐπιτίμιον, δεῖν 
9 A A 9 A € , e ~ A 
αὐτοὺς Kal εἰς THY ὑστεραίαν ἑστιᾶν)" πιὼν 
> ΩΣ »” , 3 ἢ “ , 
οὖν, ὅσον οὕπω πρότερον ἐν ἀσκῷ βαστάσας 
> , , eos ” . + 
οἶδα, τρίτην ταύτην ἥμέεραν ἔχω’ καὶ ETL σοι 


καρηβαρῶ, καὶ τὴν κραιπάλην ἀπερυγγάνω 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 137 


XXXII. 
SCOPIADES TO SCOTION. 


CONFOUND it! what a curse is drunken- 
ness, my friend! I found it out, when I 
recently fell in with a company of dissi- 
_ pated fellows : they were all heavy drinkers, 
and not one of them knew how to take a 
glass in moderation. The cup went round 
continually, and I was obliged to drink, for 
there was a penalty attached to those who 
refused: they were obliged to give a ban- 
quet at their own expense the following 
day. Being obliged to do as the rest, I 
must have swallowed more than a whole 
skin. This is the third day I have had 
a fearful headache, and I am still very 
bilious. 


18—2 


138 AAKI@PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


XXXITI. 
"Av@vAAa Κορίσκῳ. 


"EB ‘ ’ ? w+ ef. 4 
OLKE καὶ τὰ νάματα εἰς τὰ ἄνω ῥυήσεσθαι 
” ’ > ἢ 5) , ‘ 
εἴγε οὕτως, ὦ Κορίσκε, ἀφηλικέστερος γεγονὼς, 
4 ‘ 7 ‘ 4 4 + 
ὃτε ἤδη λοιπὸν Vidovs καὶ θυγατριδοὺς ἔχομεν, 
5 MR 2 ~ \ ° 4 , + ~ 
ἐρᾷς κιθαρῳδοῦ γυναικὸς, κἀμὲ κνίζεις ἄχρι τοῦ 
‘ 9. Κ᾿ 9 “ cy ’ 3 A A 
καὶ αὐτὴν ἐκρινῆσαι τὴν καρδίαν. “Eyo μεν 
᾿ 9 , ‘ + +x a ff 
γὰρ ἀτιμάζομαι, τριακοστὸν ἔτος ἤδη συνοῦσα 
, ‘ ΝΥ ΟΝ ’ > ς 
got’ παρθένιον δὲ ἡ ἱππόπορνος μεθ᾽ ὑποκο- 
~ . , oe 9 - 9 ~ 
ρισμῶν ἐκθεραπεύεται, ὅλον σε αὐτοῖς ἀγροῖς 
“ ~ 4 e ’ . 4 ~ 
καταπιοῦσα. L'eAXoor δὲ of νέοι, καὶ σὺ τοῦ 
᾿] > - e ’ 
γέλωτος ἀναισθήτως ἔχεις. ἾΩ γῆρας ἑταίρας 


“ 
παίγνιον. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 138 


XXXITI. 
ANTHYLLA TO CORISCUS. 


IT seems as if rivers could flow upwards 
to their source, to see you, in spite of 
your years and the grandchildren that 
we have, madly in love with a flute- 
player; it grieves me enough to wear away 
my heart. You are disgracing me, who have 
now been your wife for thirty years; and 
you bestow all your affection upon a girl, 
a well-known street- walker, who has 
already eaten up your money and land. 
The young fellows laugh at you, but 
you don’t seem to mind it. Poor old 
man, the plaything of a prostitute ! 


139 AAKI@PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


XXXIV. 
Γνάθων Καλλικωμίδῃ. 


͵ “ 4) , 4 
Τίμονα οἶσθα, ὦ ἸΚαλλικωμίδη, τὸν ᾿ἔχε- 
, ‘ , εἴ Υ͂ 
κρατίδον τὸν Κολλυτέα, ὃς ἐκ πλουσίου, 
, A 9 , κ] ε ἰσω 4 , 
σπαθήσας τὴν οὐσίαν εἰς ἡμᾶς τοὺς παρασί- 
4 . ς ’ ois , ἢ 
Tous καὶ τὰς ἑταίρας, εἰς ἀπορίαν συνηλαθη: 
> r , ‘ 
εἶτ᾽ ex φιλανθρώπου μισάνθρωπος ἐγένετο, Kat 
‘ 3 , 3 t Uy υ 
τὴν ᾿Απημάντου ἐμιμήσατο στύγα; Κατα- 
A a A 
λαβὼν γὰρ τὴν ἐσχατιὰν, ταῖς βώλοις τοὺς 
, >" t 
παριόντας βάλλει, προμηθούμενος μηδένα 
2A , / db , ᾽ ’ “ 
αὐτῷ καθαπαξ ἀνθρώπων ἐντυγχάνειν: οὕτως 
Ἁ A ‘ 
τὴν κοινὴν φύσιν ἀπέστραπται. Oi de λοιποὶ 
nw ’ , 4 
τῶν ᾿Αθήνῃσι νεοπλούτων Φείδωνός τε εἰσὶ 
4 , , “ 
καὶ Τνίφωνος μικροπρεπέστεροι. “Opa μοι 
; Ἁ “ ~ , 4 
μετανίστασθαι, καὶ πονοῦντι ζῆν. Δέχου δὴ 
> ‘ he ‘ , e , 
οὖν με μισθωτὸν KaT ἀγρὸν, παντα ὑπομένειν 
9 , « A a ‘ ς , 9 A 
ἀνεχόμενον ὑπερ TOU THY ἀπλήρωτον ἐμπλῆσαι 


γαστέρα. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 139 


XXXIV. 
GNATHO TO CALLICOMIDES. 


You know Timon, the son of Echecra- 
tides, of the borough of Colyttus ? He was 
once rich; to-day he is in a state of abject 
poverty, to which he has brought himself 
by wasting his fortune on prostitutes and 
parasites, like ourselves. His misfortunes 
have altered his opinion of mankind, and 
he has become as great a misanthrope as 
Apemantus. He has retired to a field a 
long way off, where he throws clods of 
earth at the passers-by, or hides himself, 
to avoid meeting anyone, so great is his 
abhorrence of his fellow-men. On the 
other hand, the other Athenians, who 
have lately come into money, are meaner 
than Phidon or Gniphon. How is one to 
live? I think I shall leave the city and 
try and earn my living by hard work. 
Take me as a hired labourer on your 
farm. I will put up with anything, if 
only I can satisfy my insatiable maw. 


140  AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


XXXV. 
Θαλλίσκος Πετραΐίῳ. 


᾽ ‘ y ΄σ " “ , e A - 
Αὐχμὸς τὰ νῦν: οὐδαμοῦ νέφος ὑπὲρ γῆς 
ld ~ A ’ ~ " 
αἴρεται, δεῖ δὲ ἐπομβρίας: διψῆν γὰρ τὰς 
. , - a 4 , n ’ 
ἀρούρας αὐτὰς τὸ καταξηρον τῆς βώλου 
, ’ [ € + 4 ᾿) , 
δείκνυσι. Ματαια ἡμῖν, ὡς ἔοικε, καὶ ἀνήκοα 
, se , , 9 ε 
τέθυται τῷ Ὕετίῳ: καίτοι γε ἐξ ἁμίλλης 
9 , , c ~ , » Ψ, 
εκαλλιερήσαμεν TavTeEs οἱ τῆς κώμης οἰκήτορες, 
ιν ὦ; Ὁ ΕῚ r > 
καὶ ὡς ἕκαστος δυνάμεως ἢ περιουσίας εἶχε, 
e A A e A , 
TUVELTEVEYKATO, ὁ μὲν κριὸν, ὁ δὲ τραγον, 
e 4 ‘ ς ; , e ‘ + 
o δὲ καπρον, ὁ πένης πόπανον, ὁ δὲ ἔτι 
, ~ , oO , 9 
πενέστερος λιβανωτοῦ χόνδρους εὖ μάλα εὐ- 
~ ~ A ° ’ 9 Α ° , 
ρωτιῶντας, ταῦρον δὲ οὐδεὶς" οὐ γὰρ εὐπορία 
, " - A , ~ ἃ ~ 
βοσκημάτων ἡμῖν, τὴν λεπτόγειον τῆς Αττικῆς 
~ 4 », ~ 
κατοικοῦσιν. ᾿Αλλ᾽ οὐδὲν ὄφελος τῶν δαπα- 
, ” ’ κ ε», ” ‘ 
VHLAT@V* ἔοικε γὰρ προς ἑτέροις ἔθνεσιν ὁ 


4 +) ~ τ 
Ζεὺς ὧν τῶν τῇδε ἀμελεῖν. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON [140 


XXXV. 
THALLISCUS TO PETRAEUS. 


A VERY great drought prevails just 
now; there is not a cloud in the sky. 
We want rain; the soil is so dry that our 
land is parched. In vain have we offered 
sacrifice to Jupiter God of Rain. All we 
inhabitants of the village have done our 
best to appease him with our gifts, ac- 
cording to our means. One contributed 
a ram, another a goat; those who were 
not so well off gave a sacrificial cake; those 
whose means were even less, a few mouldy 
grains of incense. It is true that no one 
sacrificed a bull; but we have no large 
cattle, since we live on the poor soil of 
Attica. All our expenses have been use- 
less; it seems as if Jupiter devoted his 
care to other countries, to the neglect 
of ours. 


141 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


XXXVI. 
IIparivos Μεγαλοτελεῖ. 


Ἁ > € a ε ’ , 
Χαλεπὸς ἣν ἡμῖν ὁ στρατιώτης, χαλεπός. 
4 a , ς1} 4 ; 
᾿Επεὶ yap ἧκε δείλης ὀψίας καὶ κατήχθη ov 
4 , 9 κ " ae . 3 , 
κατὰ τύχην ἀγαθὴν εἰς ἡμᾶς, οὐκ ἐπαύσατο 
, ἢ -“ “ , , ‘ 4 
evoxAwy τοῖς διηγήμασι, dexadas Twas Kal 
, " , > , ‘ 
φάλαγγας ὀνομάζων, εἶτα σαρίσσας καὶ κατα- 
, A ος- 4 “ e > 7 
meATas Kal γέῤῥας' καὶ νῦν ὡς ἀνέτρεψε 
‘ lon \ , \ 
τοὺς Opaxas, τὸν προηγεμόνα βαλὼν με- 
, ~ A ς Ὡς , ‘ 
σαγκύλῳ, νῦν de ὡς KovT@ διαπείρας τὸν 
9 , 5» , my Sav aie J 9 ’ 
Ἀρμένιον ἀπώλεσεν: ἐπὶ πᾶσί τε αἰχμαλώ- 
~ A 9 ἤ - ΠῚ wv 
Tous παρῆγε Kat ἐδείκνυ γυναῖκας, ds ἔλεγεν 
~ , A “- “ , ’ 
ἐκ τῆς λείας ὑπὸ τῶν στρατηγῶν ἀριστείας 
, MEDS , ΄ ” A 9 , 
αὐτῷ γέρας δεδόσθα. Tw de ἐγκαναξας 
’ , Ul ld 
κύλικα εὐμεγέθη, φλυαρίας φάρμακον ὠρεγον' 
e A 4 , A , (eu , 4 
ὁ δὲ καὶ ταύτην καὶ πλείονας ἐπὶ ταύτῃ Kal 


ε Ul , \ > > , 9 , 
ἁδροτέρας eKTLWY, οὐκ ἐπαύσατο ἀδολεσχίας. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON παι 


XXXVI. 
PRATINUS TO MEGALOTELES. 


Au! what trouble the soldier brought 
upon us! After his arrival in the evening, 
when, in an ill-starred moment, he took 
up his quarters with us, he never ceased 
to din into our ears stories about decuries, 
phalanxes, pikes, shields, and cross-bows. 
Then he told us how he had routed the 
Thracians and run their captain through 
with his lance; and, after that, how he 
pierced an Armenian through and through. 
Finally, he produced his prisoners, and 
exhibited the women, whom, he declares, 
he received from different generals as the 
reward of his gallantry. I poured out a 
large cup of wine, hoping to cure his 
chattering; he swallowed it, and several 
larger ones after it, but it did not stop 
him; he still went on chattering. 


142 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


XXXVII. 
Ἐπιφυλλὶς ᾿Αμαρακίνῃ. 


" te) ~ 7 ‘“ + 5 
Ἑρεσιώνην ἐξ ἀνθῶν πλέξασα, jew ἐς 
e , A A , 
Epuadpodirov, τῷ ᾿Αλωπεκῆθεν ταύτην 
- > ? , 1s 7 > 
ἀναθήσουσα. Eira μοι λόχος ἐξαίφνης ava- 
’ , " , 3 > ἡ , 
φαίνεται νέων ἀγερώχων, ἐπ᾽ ἐμὲ συντεταγμέ- 
e , A , , 
νων" ὁ λόχος de Μοσχίωνι συνέπραττεν. 
4 ‘ ’ 9 , 
Ἔπεὶ γὰρ τὸν paxapityy ἀπέβαλον Φαι- 
, "3 9 , , “ , 
δρίαν, οὐκ ἐπαύσατό μοι πραγματὰα παρέ- 
‘ 4 ? A A ς , 
χων, καὶ yaunoeiwy: eyw de ἀνηνάμην, ἅμα 
A A A , ’ 
μὲν τὰ veoyva Talla κατοικτείρουσα, ἅμα 
4 ‘ , 9 " a , 
de Tov ἥρω Φαιδρίαν ev ὀφθαλμοῖς τιθεμένη. 
, A ‘ , ° , 
"EAavOavoy δὲ ὑβριστὴν ὑμέναιον ἀναμένουσα, 
A , , e , 9 A ‘ 
kat θάλαμον varny εὑρίσκουσα. Eis yap τὸ 
‘ > \ a \ , 4 
συνηρεφες ἀγαγὼν, ov TO πύκνωμα συνεχές 
> ~ , ΕῚ “- ‘ ~ " “ 
ἣν τῶν. δένδρων, αὐτοῦ που κατὰ τῶν ἀνθῶν 
A ~ , , “- - oy 
καὶ τῆς φυλλάδος, αἰδοῦμαι εἰπεῖν, ὦ φιλ- 


, , ~ > , 4A + ‘ 
τάτη, Ti παθεῖν ernvayxace. Kat ἔχω τὸν 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON τ42 


XXXVII. 
EPIPHYLLIS TO AMARICINE. 


HAVING woven a garland of flowers, I 
was going to the temple of Hermaphroditus, 
intending to offer it in honour of him of 
Alopece.t Suddenly a party of insolent 
young men came in sight, ready to attack 
me, led by Moschion, who, as soon as I 
lost my dear husband, incessantly worried 
me to marry him, but I refused, partly 
out of pity for my little ones, and partly 
because I could not forget the deceased 
Phaedrias. But I unwittingly kept my- 
self for a disgraceful amour, and found a 
nuptial chamber in a grove. He took me 
into a shady part of the forest, where the 
trees grew thickly together, and there, on 
the top of the flowers and leaves, he 
compelled me to endure—I am ashamed 
to say what, my dear. I have gained a 

' Her late husband. 


143 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


ἐξ ὕβρεως avdpa: οὐχ ἑκοῦσα μὲν, ὅμως δὲ 
ἔχω. Καλὸν μὲν γὰρ ἀπείραστον εἶναι τῶν 
ἀβουλήτων: ὅτῳ δὲ οὐχ ὑπάρχει τοῦτο 


, Α 4 ο ~ 
κρύπτειν THY συμῴοραν ἀναγκαῖον. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 143 


husband by the insult I have suffered— 
not of my own free will, but still it is 
true. It is a good thing not to experience 
what is disagreeable; but when this is 
impossible, we must at least conceal our 
misfortune. 


144 ΑΛΚΙΦΡΟΝῸΣ PHTOPOZ 


XXXVITI. 


Εὔδικος Πασίωνι. 


, δὲ ὋΝ 4 4 εἴ " , 
Φρύγα οἰκέτην ἔχω πονηρὸν, ὃς ἀπέβη 
~~ ᾽ 4 ~ +] .- e 4 ~ δ΄ 
τοιοῦτος ἐπὶ τῶν ἀγρῶν. Qs yap τῇ ἕνῃ 
‘ ϑ' Sh r A ~ 9 Ui N 
καὶ νέᾳ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν τοῦτον ἐπριάμην, Nov- 
A Ah "5Δ 7 - , 
μήνιον μὲν εὐθὺς ἐθέμην καλεῖσθαι: δόξαντα 
4 s ’ A 9 , , 
δὲ εἶναι ῥωμαλέον, καὶ ἐγρηγόρως βλέποντα, 
‘ , > oA “ > “ 
μετὰ περιχαρίας ἦγον, ὡς ἐπὶ τῆς ἐσχατιᾶς 
> 2 3 - 4 
μοι ἐσόμενο. “Hy δὲ οὗτος dua λαμπρὰ 
, > , A , 
ζημία: ἐσθίει μὲν yap τεσσάρων σκαπα- 
, , e a A Μ + 
νέων σιτία: ὑπνοῖ δε, ὅσον ἤκουσα τετυφω- 
“ ’ , 4 
μένον σοφιστοῦ λέγοντος, ᾿Εἰπιμενίδην τινὰ 
~ “-- «ἃ ς oJ , 4 e 
Κρῆτα κεκοιμῆσθαι, ἢ ὡς ἀκούομεν τὴν Hpa- 
, ΄ ΑΛ > , ΩΣ 
κλέους τριέσπερον. Ti ἂν οὖν ποιοίμην, © 
€ , 4A “~ +, , 
φίλτατε ἑταίρων καὶ συνεργῶν, ἴθι φράσον, 


ΑΕ , θ , B Xe 3 (ὃ , 
ετπτι TOLOUT® PLM καταβαλὼν αργυρι tov , 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON τᾷ 


XXXVIII. 
Eupicus To PASION. 


I HAVE a_ good-for-nothing slave, a 
Phrygian, who has turned out so in the 
country. Since I picked him out of a 
number of others and bought him on the 
last day of the month, I immediately de- 
termined to call him Numenius.' As he 
seemed to be strong and looked sharp, I 
was glad to take him away to help me 
on my farm in the country. But he has 
turned out a sheer loss to me; he eats 
as much food as four diggers, and he 
sleeps, as I heard a crazy sophist say, 
like Epimenides the Cretan, or for three 
successive nights, as when Hercules was 
born. Whatever am I to do, my dear 
friend and fellow-labourer, now that I 
have thrown away my money on the 
purchase of such a monster ? 

1 Connected with the new moon. 
19 


145 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOX 


XXXIX. 
Εὐθύδικος Ἔ πιφαν ἕῳ. 


4 A N ’ ᾿ A x 
II pos θεῶν καὶ δαιμόνων, ὦ μῆτερ, πρὸς 
᾽ , a A Α A 
ὀλίγον καταλιποῦσα τοὺς σκοπελους καὶ THY 
? / , \ “ , ε , 
ἀγροικίαν, θέασαι πρὸ τῆς τελευταίας ἡμέρας 
x , e U 
τὰ κατ᾽ ἄστυ καλα. Οἷα yap, ola σε 
’ ¢ ~ 4 ‘ , 
AavOaver, ᾿Αλῶα καὶ ᾿Απατούρια καὶ Διονύσια, 
\ e ~ ς “ , ~ , 
Kal ἡ νῦν ἑστῶσα σεμνοτάτη τῶν Θεσμοφορίων 
e , ς Α A + \ \ , 
ἑορτή. Ἢ μὲν yap ἄνοδος κατὰ τὴν πρώτην 
/ ς ’ ε , ’ ‘ ’ > 
γέγονεν ἡμέραν, ἡ νηστεία δὲ TO τήμερον εἶναι 
’ € , 4 
παρ᾽ ᾿Αθηναίοις éopragera, τὰ Καλλιγένεια 
49 ΠΝ A , 7 3 9 , 
δὲ εἰς τὴν ἐπιοῦσαν θύουσιν. Ei οὖν ἐπειχθείης, 
“ ‘ ἴω Ἁ e , “- 
ἔρχῃ ἕωθεν πρὸ τοῦ τὸν ἑωσφόρον ἐξελθεῖν" 
ε , ‘ * 
συνθύεις ταῖς ᾿Αθηναίων γυναιξὶν αὔριον. Ἧκε 
a PAD \ ΔΝ το γᾷ qWila ᾿ 
οὖν, Mi) μελλε, καὶ πρὸς ἐμῆς καὶ τῶν αὐτα- 
, ~ Εν , μ᾿ + 
δελῴων τῶν ἐμῶν σωτηρίας" TO yap ἀγευστον 


’ ’ \ ? "5 / ε 
πόλεως καταλύσαι τὸν βίον, ἀποτρόπαιον, ὡς 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 145 


XXXIX. 
EUTHYDICUS TO EPIPHANIUM. 


By the Gods and Deities, mother, 
leave the rocks and country for a little 
while, and come and see the beauties of 
the city before you die. You don’t know 
what you are missing: the Haloa, the 
Apaturia, and the Dionysia, and the 
most holy festival of the Thesmophoria, 
which we are now celebrating. The 
, Ascent took place on the first day, to- 
day the fast is being solemnly kept, and 
the sacrifice to Calligeneia takes place 
to-morrow. If you make haste, and start 
early before the morning star rises, you 
will be able to join in the sacrifice with 
the Athenian women. Come, then, don’t 
waste time, I beseech you, as I wish well 
to my brothers and myself; for to end 
your days without having had a taste of 
the city would be abominable, beastly, 

19—2 


146  AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


“ A , \ 5 

ὃν θηριῶδες καὶ δύστροπον. ᾿Ανέχου δὲ, ὦ 
“ “ ἣν OR ΑΝ ’ ’ 

μῆτερ, τῆς ἐπὶ τῷ συμφέροντι παῤῥησίας. 
Ἁ ev “5 ’ ° la «ε 

Καλὸν ἅπασιν ἀνθρώποις ἀνυποστόλως ὁμι- 

“ A " - Ἁ ‘ 
λεῖν: οὐχ ἥκιστα δὲ ἀναγκαῖον TO πρὸς τοὺς 


οἰκείους ἀληθίζεσθαι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 146 


and ill-mannered. You must excuse my 
freedom, mother, it is for your benefit. 
It is right that all should speak frankly; 
but above all it is necessary to be sincere 
with one’s own relations. 


147. AAKI®PONOD PHTOPOS 


XL. 
Φιλομήτωρ Φιλίσῳ. 


aD A A Ἁ - > , θ 5" 3 
yw μὲν τὸν παῖδα ἀποδόσθαι εἰς ἄστυ 
, A 9 , 4 
ξύλα καὶ κριθὰς ἀπέπεμψνα, ἐπανήκειν τὴν 
"3 A ‘. , , ~ 
αὐτὴν τὰ κέρματα κομίζοντα mapeyyvov: 
, Re 4 9 “ ’ 5 ° Ἁ 
χόλος δὲ ἐμπεσὼν, ἐξ ὅτου δαιμόνων εἰς αὐτὸν, 
ΒΝ ὦ 4 Φ ' \ οὶ 
οὐκ ἔχω λέγειν, ὅλον παρήμειψγε, καὶ φρενῶν 
+ , U \ oe \ 
ἔξω κατέστησε. Θεασάμενος yap ἕνα τουτωνὶ 
ΤᾺ , et iY Χ a“ , 
τῶν μεμηνότων, OVS διὰ TO μανιῶδες πάθος 

> νὰ a 
κύνας ἀποκαλεῖν εἰώθασιν, ὑπερέβαλε τῇ 
, ~ A \ ? 4 4 
μιμήσει τῶν κακῶν τὸν ἀρχηγέτην. Kat 
+ 9 “ 4 ° , 4 
ἐστιν ἰδεῖν θέαμα ἀποτρόπαιον καὶ φο- 
‘ , 3 τοι, [ \ , 
Bepov, κόμην αὐχμηρὰν ἀνασείων, TO βλέμ- 
᾿] \ ε , 9 , ’ 
μα ἵταμος, ἡμίγυμνος ἐν τριβωνίῳ, πηρίδιον 
9 4 ς ἢ 9 “5 , 
ἐξηρτημένος, καὶ ῥόπαλον ἐξ axpados πεποιη- 
, \ a a ᾽ , ε ~ 
μένον μετὰ χεῖρας ἔχων, ἀνυπόδητος, ῥυπῶν, 


37 \ ° ‘ 4 ς an 9 at 4 
ἄπρακτος" τὸν αγρον καὶ ἡμᾶς οὐκ εἰδως τοὺς 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 147 


x Lise 
PHILOMETOR TO PHILISUS. 


I sENT my son to the city to sell 
wood and barley, and gave him strict 
orders to come back the same day with 
the money; but the, wrath of some Deity 
or other overtook him, drove him out of 
his mind, and changed him altogether. 
For, having seen one of those lunatics, 
who are nicknamed ‘‘ Dogs” from their 
mad behaviour, he outdid his master in 
imitating his extravagances. He is a 
fearful and disgusting sight: he shakes 
his unkempt hair, he looks wild, goes 
about half-naked in a threadbare cloak, 
with a little wallet slung over his 
shoulders, and a staff of wild pear-tree 
wood in his hands. He is unshod and 
filthy, and no one can do anything with 
him; he declares he does not know his 
parents or the farm either: he says that 


148  AAKI®PONOY ΡΗΤΌΡΟΣ 


a " 9 5 ’ ’ / , 
γονεῖς, αλλ᾽ ἀρνούμενος, φύσει λέγων γεγονεναι 
/ \ \ “ , , 
τὰ πάντα, καὶ τὴν τῶν στοιχείων σύγκρασιν 
, 2 , A 4 , 
αἰτίαν εἶναι γενέσεως, οὐχὶ τοὺς πατέρας. 
A | en J A , ie ‘ 
Εὔδηλον δὲ ἐστι Kal χρημάτων περιοράν, Kat 
’ a = | 4 4 n~ 
γεωργίαν στυγεῖν: ἀλλὰ καὶ αἰσχύνης αὐτῷ 
“ xa ‘ \ 9 Χ ~ ’ 
μελει οὐδεν, καὶ τὴν αἰδὼ τοῦ προσώπου 
δον ἫΝ ” or a t ay 
ἀπέξυσται. Οἴμοι οἷόν σε, ὦ γεωργία, τὸ 
~ , , 4 3 
τῶν ἀπατεώνων τουτωνὶ φροντιστήριον ἐξε- 
’ πὶ ’ ‘ “sn 
τραχήλισε. Μέμφομαι τῷ Σόλωνι καὶ τῷ 
, A ‘ ‘ , Q 
Ἄρακοντι, ot τοὺς μὲν κλέπτοντας σταφυλας 
LU ~ ᾽ , ‘ \ Ἂν 
θανάτῳ ζημιοῦν ἐδικαίωσαν: τοὺς δὲ ἀνδρα- 
4 A nn ΄“΄ Ἁ ’ 
ποδίζοντας ἀπὸ τοῦ φρονεῖν τοὺς νέους, 
Δ“ > , ες 
ἀθῴους εἶναι τιμωρίας ἀπέλιπον. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 148 


everything is produced by nature, and that 
the mixture of the elements, not our 
parents, is the cause of generation. It 
is evident that he despises money, and 
hates agriculture; he is lost to all sense 
of shame, and all trace of modesty is 
banished from his countenance. O Agri- 
culture! what utter ruin this thinking-shop 
of impostors has brought upon you! I 
blame Draco and Solon; for, while they 
thought fit to punish with death those 
who stole grapes, they allowed those who 
made slaves of young men’s understand- 
ings to go scot-free. 


149 ΑΛΚΊΦΡΟΝΟΣ PHTOPOZ 


XLLI. 
Apvadns Μηλίωνι. 


y+ , ~ , ’ 
Een wa σοι, τῶν Δεκελειάσι προβάτων 
, , τὰ , \ , 4“ ᾿ 
ἀποκείρας τὰ ῥωμαλέα, τοὺς πόκους" ὅσα γὰρ 
ψΨ ar e , r “ ν᾿ , II er 
ὥρας ὑπόπλεα, ταῦτα τῷ ποιμένι Τ|υῤῥίᾳ 
, ~ > [2 , ‘ 
παρέδωκα χρῆσθαι ἐς 0, τι ἂν θέλῃ, πρὶν 
, “A A ς Ἁ ~ , 
placa διαφθαρῆναι παντελῶς ὑπὸ τῆς νόσου. 
” ae ἢ , > > 
ἔχουσα οὖν ἀφθονίαν ἐρίων, ἐξύφηνον ἡμῖν 
Ε , ’ A Ὁ e > ι, 
ἐσθήματα πρόσφορα ταῖς ὥραις, ὡς εἶναι τὰ 
‘ on , , PY ae he) A 
μὲν τῷ θέρει προσαρμόζοντα λεπτοῦφῆ, τὰ 
‘ , “ ~ , ‘ 
δὲ χειμέρια ἐχέτω περιττῶς τῆς κρόκης, καὶ 
, , [4 Α A ΝΣ / 
πεπαχύνθω πλέον: Wa τὰ μὲν TH μανότητι 
, , 4 ‘ , 4 ὔ 
σκιαΐζῃ μόνον, καὶ μὴ καταθαλπῃῇ τὰ σώματα' 
A \ mm , 3 ’ \ \ A 
τὰ δὲ τῇ βαρύτητι ἀπείργῃ Tov κρυμὸν, Kal 
, r A , ‘ 
ἀλεξανεμα τυγχάνῃ. Kat ἡ παρθένος δὲ ἡ 
a A Ψ» ? ] , , 
παῖς, ἣν ἔχομεν ἐν ὥρᾳ γάμου, συλλαμβανέτῳ 


“ “- ’ er 
τῆς ἱστουργίας ταῖς θεραπαινίσιν, ἵνα εἰς 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 149 


XLI. 
DRYADES TO MELION. 


I HAVE sent you the fleeces of some 
sheep shorn at Decelea. I only picked 
out those that were healthy; those that 
were full of the scab I gave to my 
shepherd Pyrrhias, to do what he liked 
with them, before they were entirely de- 
stroyed by the disease. Since you have 
abundance of wool, make me _ some 
clothes suitable for the different seasons ; 
let those for summer wear be finely 
woven; those for winter should have 
plenty of nap, and be thicker; the 
former should rather shade than heat the 
body by their thinness, while the latter 
should keep the cold from it, and screen 
it from the wind by their thickness. Let 
our maiden daughter, who is now of an 
age to marry, assist the handmaids in 
weaving, so that, when she leaves us for a 


150 AAKI®PPONOZ PHTOPOX 


? 4A 9 ΄“ 4 , A , 

ἀνδρὸς ἐλθοῦσα μὴ καταισχύνῃ τοὺς TaTEpas 
~ \ 57 A / A 

ἡμᾶς. Kat ἄλλως de εἰδέναι σε χρὴ, ws αἱ 

U 9 “ A A ’ , 

ταλασίαν ἀγαπῶσαι, καὶ τὴν “Epyavyny θερα- 
, [ὦ , A , , 

πεύουσαι, κόσμῳ βίου καὶ σωφροσύνῃ σχολά- 


ζουσι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 150 


husband, she may not disgrace her parents. 
Besides, you must know that those who 
are fond of spinning wool, and are the 
handmaids of the goddess of labour, de- 
vote themselves to an orderly and chaste 
life. 


151 ΑΛΚΙΦΡΟΝῸΣ PHTOPOS 


XLII. 
‘Paynotpayytcos Σταφυλοδαίμονι. 


, U 
"A pdny ἀπόλωλα σοι" ὁ yap χθὲς εὐπαρυ- 
a ον A , 
os, πιναροῖς, ὡς ὁρᾷς, καὶ τριχίνοις ῥάκεσι 
“ , 
καλύπτω τὴν aldo. ᾿Απέδυσε yap με Lara- 
‘ ’ > 
κίων ὁ παμπόνηρος, ὃς τὰ κέρματά mou (εἶχον 
δὲ, ὡς οἶσθα, ὑπόσυχνον ἀργύριον), δεξιαῖς 
’ “a , μοὶ , + 
χρώμενος ταῖς καλινδήσεσι τῶν κύβων, ἄχρι 
δραχμῶν καὶ ὀβολῶν ἀπεσύλησεν. ᾿Ἑξὸν δέ 
a of . , > 27 
μοι παριδεῖν, ὅσον ἐζημιώθην, εἶτα ἀθώῳ 
, ~ f 3 “ 3 5 A 
γενέσθαι τοῦ πλείονος, ἐκ τῆς κατ᾽ ὀργὴν 
’ 
ἔριδος τὴν εἰς τοὔσχατον ὑπέμεινα βλαβην'" 
9. ἃ Ἁ Ψ ~ ° , > , 
καθ᾽ ἕν yap ἕκαστον τῶν ἱματίων ἐκ προκλή- 
Ἁ U A 
σεως ἀποτιθεὶς, τέλος ἁπάντων ἐψιλώθην τῶν 
’ ~ Ἂν ΄“- 
ἐνδυμάτων. ἸΠοῖ δὴ οὖν βαδιστέον ; χαλεπῶς 
, 5 
yap καὶ λάβρως ἐπαιγίζων ὁ βοῤῥᾶς δίεισί 
μου τῶν πλευρῶν ὥσπερ βέλος. ᾿Ες Κυνό- 


ΝΜ a U ~ -“ 
σαργες ἴσως οἰχητέον: ἣ γάρ τις τῶν ἐκεῖ 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 151 


XLII. 
RHAGESTRANGISUS TO STAPHYLODAEMON., 


I AM utterly ruined. I, who but yes- 
terday was clad in fine garments, am now 
obliged to cover my nakedness with filthy 
rags made of hair. That accursed villain 
Pataecion has stripped me bare; with his 
lucky throws of the dice he has cleaned 
me out of my money, with which as you 
know I was well supplied, even to the 
last drachma’ and obol.? And when it was 
in my power, by ignoring the loss I had 
sustained, to escape a still greater one, 
in my anger and quarrelsomeness, I went 
on to the bitter end; I staked each of 
my articles of clothing as I was challenged, 
and, at last, was stripped naked. Where 
am I to go? for the north wind, blowing 
with cruel violence, goes through my sides 
like a knife. Perhaps to the Cynosarges ; 
either one of the young men there will 


1 About g#d. 2 About 14d. 


152 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


- 


i 9 ’ ° / 

νεανίσκων, ἐποικτείρας ἀμφιέσει με ἱματίοις, 
« , ‘ ’ ’, “ A 
ἢ καταλήψομαι τὰς ἐγγύθεν καμίνους, καὶ 
a A e , , a A 
τῷ πυρὶ ὁ δύστηνος θάλψομαι: τοῖς yap 
a A ‘ ‘ 
γυμνοῖς σισύρα καὶ ἐφεστρὶς ἡ φλὸξ, καὶ 


τὸ ἐκ τῆς EAns θέρεσθαι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 152 


out of pity give me some clothes to cover 
me, or I shall be able to get near the 
stoves and warm my wretched self by the 
fire; for to the naked, fire and warmth 
take the place of both outer and inner 
garments. 


20 


153 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOE 


ΧΗ, 
Ψιχοκλαύστης Βουκίωνι. 


Ἂ , , κ᾿ 2 A 
Ty προτεραίᾳ ξυράμενοι Tas κεφαλὰς, ἐγὼ 
, A 7, , 
καὶ Στρουθίων καὶ Kuvasdos of παράσιτοι, 
, " Ἁ 9 , a 
λουσάμενοι εἰς TO ἐν Σηραγγίῳ βαλανεῖον 
ke ‘ ’ Ld , ° , 9 
ἀμφὶ πέμπτην ὥραν δρόμον ἀφέντες, εἰς 
’ ‘ , ‘ , 
τὸ προάστειον τὸ ᾿Αγκύλης τὸ Χαρικλέους 
σι , ? , »* ΕΣ , 
τοῦ μειρακίσκου φχόμεθα. "ἔνθα αὐτός τε 
, , 
ἀσμένως ὑπεδέξατο, φιλόγελώς Te ὧν Kal 
, ς κ A + ] ~ 
piravarwris' ἡμεῖς τε διατριβὴν αὐτῷ τε 
A ’ , 4 
καὶ τοῖς συμπόταις παρέσχομεν, παρὰ μέρος 
’ Α ᾿] , » 
ἀλλήλους ἐπιῤῥαπίζοντες, καὶ ἀνάπαιστα εὔ- 
, ς “ 
κροτα ἐπιλέγοντες αὐτοσκομμάτων ἀστικῶν 
A ΕΣ , 9 “A ‘ € / , 
καὶ αὐτοχαρίτων ᾿Αττικῶν καὶ αἱμυλίας γέ- 
9 , > ε “4 A ? 
μοντα. Ἐν τούτῳ δι’ ἱλαρότητος καὶ ev- 
/ “ ’ 
φροσύνης διακειμένου τοῦ συμποσίου, ἐπέστη 
‘ , , ἈΝ 
ποθὲν Σμικρίνης ὁ δύστροπος καὶ δύσκολος, 
ed A 9 ~ ~ 9 “ a , 
εἵπετο δὲ αὐτῷ πλῆθος οἰκετῶν, Of δραμόντες 


ἐφ᾽ ἡμᾶς ὥρμησαν. Αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Σμικρίνης, 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 153 


ΜΕ. 
PSICHOCLAUSTES TO BUCION. 


THE day before yesterday, the para- 
sites Struthion and Cynaedus and myself 
shaved our heads, took a bath at Se- 
rangium, and, about the fifth hour, 
hurried as fast as we could to the suburb 
of Ancyle, where young Charicles has an 
estate. He made us very welcome, being 
generous and fond of merriment; and, on 
our part, we afforded amusement to him 
and his guests, slapping one another in 
‘turns to the accompaniment of sonorous 
anapaests, full of genuine town witticisms 
and Attic grace and liveliness. In the 
meantime, while cheerfulness and merri- 
ment prevailed, that cross-grained, sulky 
Smicrines came on the scene from some- 
where, followed by a crowd of servants, 
who rushed upon us from all directions. 
Smicrines first smote Charicles on the 

20—2 


154 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


“ A ” , ‘ ~ 
πρῶτα μὲν TH καμπύλῃ παίει τὸν νῶτον 
~ , A , 
τοῦ Χαρικλέους, ἔπειτα δὲ ἐπὶ κόῤῥης πα- 
> ς yx > “ e a 
τάξας, ἦγεν ws ἔσχατον avdpatodov: ἡμεῖς 
, / ~ , ° 5 ’ 
δὲ νεύματι μόνῳ τοῦ πρεσβύτου εἰς τοὐπίσω 
Ἀ “- 9 ’ Ν ‘ 
τὰς χεῖρας ἐστρεβλούμεθα:- τὰ δὲ μετὰ 
΄ , e ΄“ « Ul φ 3 , 
ταῦτα ξήνας ἡμᾶς ὑστριχίδι, οὐκ ὀλίγαις 
909 9 , ’ , ° A 
οὐδ᾽ εὐαριθμήτοις μάστιξι, τέλος ἀγαγὼν 
, ‘ , 3 / ec em , 
εἰς τὸ δεσμωτήριον ἀπέθετο ὁ ἄγριος γέρων. 
‘ ‘ 
Kai εἰ μὴ συνήθης ov καὶ πολλὰ καθηδυ- 
, 9 ε ~ e ’ Ε x 
παθήσας μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν ὁ χαρίεις Εὔδημος, ἀνὴρ 
- , -“ , ΄“- 
ἐν τοῖς πρώτοις τοῦ συμποσίου τῶν ᾿Αρεοπα- 
~ lee ὦ 252 Ἁ , , 
γιτῶν, ἀνέῳξεν ἡμῖν τὸ δεσμωτήριον, Taxa 
‘ (τὰ , ’ 
ἂν καὶ τῷ δημίῳ παρεδόθημεν. Οὕτως ὁ 
‘ , A \ , 
δριμὺς γέρων καὶ πικρὸς ἐπίμπρατο καθ᾽ 
ea A , +S ς nv A 2’ 2% 
ἡμῶν, καὶ πάντα ἔπραττεν ὡς ἂν τὴν ἐπὶ 
7 > 7 9 ὔ A ε ’ 
θανάτῳ, ἶσα τοῖς ἀνδροφόνοις καὶ ἱεροσύλοις 


ἀπαχθείημεν. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON © 154 


back with a crooked stick, and then, 
. hitting him on the face, carried him off 
like the meanest slave; at a nod from 
the old man, our hands were tied behind 
our backs, after which we were flogged 
severely with a whip of hog’s bristles: 
the blows inflicted upon us were more 
than we could count; and, at last, the 
cruel old man ordered us to be dragged 
off to prison; and, had not that good 
fellow Eudemus, one of the chief mem- 
bers of the council of Areopagus, an old 
acquaintance of ours, who had_ spent 
many a pleasant hour with us, opened 
the prison door for us, we should most 
likely have been handed over to the 
executioner, so furious against us was 
that harsh and cruel old man; and he 
did everything he could to get us led 
away to death, as if we had been mur- 
derers and temple robbers. 


155 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOS 


XLIV. 


Γνάθων ΔΛειχοπίνακι. 


¢ wn , « 9 , ‘ 
Ἡμῶν ws Μεγαρέων ἢ Altyrewy οὐδεὶς 
, a 4 nn , , 
λόγος, εὐδοκιμεῖ de τανῦν Τρυλλίων μόνος 
‘ , a ν᾽ Ἀ ΄σ 7 7 
καὶ κατάρχει TOU ἄστεος, καὶ πᾶσα αὐτῷ 
, , mm A x ek ὦ 
καθάπερ Κράτητι τῷ Θήβηθεν κυνὶ avéwyev 
, ‘ - , lal 
ἡ οἰκία. ᾿Ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν, Θετταλίδα τινὰ γραῦν 
ἡ 3 ’ ’ , 
ἢ ᾿Ακαρνανίδα φαρμακεύτριαν πεπορισμένος 
, A ° , 7 , 
καταγοητεύει τοὺς ἀθλίους νεανίσκους. Ti 
ἃ 
A 4 , + N , ‘ - \ 
yap καὶ στωμύλον ἔχει; τί δὲ ὁμιλητικὸν 
Ν \ , lg 3 
καὶ ἡδὺ φέρει; ᾿Αλλ᾽ ἴσως εὐμενεστέροις 
“ Sw > e , 4 
ὄμμασιν ἐκεῖνον εἶδον ai Χάριτες: ὡς τοὺς 
4 " , ‘ ΕἸ ΄ e C ἃ, οὖ 
μὲν ἀπομάττεσθαι πρὸς αὐτοῦ, ἡμᾶς δὲ ἀγα- 
~ 5 4 “ , e , 
πάν, εἰ τὰς ἀπομαγδαλίας ὡς κυσί τις 
Γ 4 \ bd , 9 
παραῤῥίψειε. Taxa de ov γόης, ἀλλὰ τύχῃ 


’ veg , 4 4 , 
κέχρηται δεξιᾷ. Τύχη γὰρ παρὰ πάντα 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 155 


XLIV. 
GNATHON TO LEICHOPINAX. 


WE are thought no more of than 
Megareans or Aegieans; at the present 
time Gryllion alone is in good repute, 
and holds sway over the city: every 
house is open to him, as if he were 
Crates the Cynic from Thebes. It seems 
to me that he has got hold of some 
Thessalian or Acarnanian sorceress, with 
whose assistance he bewitches the un- 
happy youths of our city. What a fund 
of talk he possesses! how delightful 
is his conversation! But perhaps the 
Graces have looked upon him with favour- 
able eyes, so that, while others have the 
inside of the loaf, we must be content if 
anyone throws us the leavings, like dogs, 
after he has wiped his hands upon it. 
But perhaps he is no magician, but only 
very fortunate; for it is fortune that pre- 


1 The meaning of this passage is greatly disputed. 


156 ΑΛΚΙΦΡΟΝῸΣ ΡΗΤΌΡΟΣ 


3 4 ‘ ΄“ ᾿] , , at 

εστί Ta τῶν ἀνθρώπων πραγματα' οὐδὲν 
᾿ > φ , , U ‘ , 

yap ev ἀνθρώποις γνώμη, πάντα δὲ τύχη" 


4 , e ‘ e / > 4 / 
Kal ταύτης ὁ τυχὼν ἡδύς ἐστι καὶ νομίζεται. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 156 


vails beyond everything in human affairs. 
Prudence counts for nothing, fortune is 
everything ; the man who is fortunate 
is pleasant, and has the reputation of 
being so. 


157. AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


KEY: 
Τραπεζολείχων Ψιχοδιαλέκτῃ. 


a On , > , 4 
HaAynoa, ὦ καλὲ Ψιχίων, ἀκούσας τὴν 
» ’ A Ἁ , , 
συμβᾶσαν σοι περὶ TO πρόσωπον συμφοραν. 
9 A A 9 ’ Ἁ , εἴ 
Ke δὲ καὶ τοῦτον ἐγένετο τὸν τρόπον, ὃν 
, e a 3 “ ΄- 5 
διηγήσατο ἡμῖν ἐπανελθοῦσα τοῦ συμποσίου 
, , A , ’ 
Λειριόνη (λέγω δὲ τὴν παιδίσκην Φυλλίδος 
~ , La , A , 
τῆς ψαλτρίας), πόλεμον ὑπέστης Kal πόρ- 
€ Ἁ Υ ~ A « ; 
θησιν ἱκανὴν ἄνευ μηχανῆς καὶ ἐλεπόλεως" 
»" , 4 4 Ἁ , A 
ἀκούω ‘yap Kal Tov καταπύγονα καὶ θηλυ- 
, , ‘ , e 4 
δρίαν περικατεάξαι σοι τὴν φιάλην, ὡς τὰ 
, , , ‘ tn- A 
θραύσματα λωβήσασθαί σοι τὴν ῥῖνα Kat 
A 4 , 4A ~ eo Ss 
τὴν δεξιὰν σιαγόνα, καὶ τοῦ αἵματος avax- 
~ A er ΩΣ " , 
θῆναι κρουνοὺς, οἵους ὕδατος ev Lepania 
, , ? 9 "3 , ~ 
πέτραι σταλάσσουσι. Tis ἔτι ἀνέξεται τῶν 
, ’ " , Ἁ 
κακοδαιμόνων τούτων, εἰ, τοσούτου τὸ γασ- 
, ᾿] , , ‘ 
τρίζεσθαι πωλούντων, ὠνούμεθα κινδύνῳ τὸ 
~ Ἁ ‘A 9 ΄-“-᾿ , . , A 
Civ, Kat τὸν ἐκ λιμοῦ Oavarov δεδιότες, THY 


μετὰ κινδύνου πλησμονὴν ἀσπαζόμεθα: 


ἃ. eer 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 157 


τ XLV. 
TRAPEZOLEICHON TO PSICHODIALECTES. 


I was much grieved, my dear Psi- 
chion, when I heard of the accident to 
your face. If it happened as Leirione—I 
mean the servant of Phyllis the harpist— 
told us on her return from the banquet, 
you have indeed been in the wars and 
exposed to destruction, without any en- 
gines of war being brought against you. 
I hear that the disgusting and effeminate 
wretch broke a goblet over your head 
with such violence that the pieces injured 
your nose and your right cheek, and 
streams of blood spirted up from the 
wound, like the drippings from the rocks 
of Gerania. Who will be able to endure 
such wretches much longer? They ask 
so high a price for filling our bellies that 
we have to pay for it with the peril of 
our lives; and, in our fear of being 
starved to death, we welcome the chance 
of getting a good meal, even if we have 
to pay dearly for it. 


158 AAKI@PONOXY PHTOPOX 


XLVI. 
Στεμφυλοχαίρων 'ραπεζοχάροντι. 


ς ΄“ ’ 
ὡς εὐτυχῶς, ὡς μακαρίως πέπραγα. 
wv φίλ 4 Ul , 4%) , 
ἴσως ἐρήσῃ με, τίνα τρόπον, ὦ Τραπεζό- 
Ἁ ; ‘ ‘ 
xapov. ᾿γὼ δή σοι φράσω καὶ πρὶν ἔρεσθαι. 
> 5 , 3 \ “ 
"Hye μὲν ἡ πόλις, ὡς οἶσθα, τὴν ἸΚζουρεῶτιν 
‘ ‘ A - 
ἡμέραν: ἐγὼ δὲ παραληφθεὶς ἐπὶ δεῖπνον 
, 9 i Ἁ ε , 
τέρπειν, ὠρχούμην Tov κόρδακα. Οὲ δαιτύ- 
\ ’ “Ἄ 
μονες δὲ ἐκ φιλονεικίας ἔπινον, ἕως, τῆς ἁμίλ- 
A ~ 
Ans εἰς ἄπειρον προχωρούσης, κῶμος κατέσχε 
Χ , \ ’ 7 ς t 
TO συμπόσιον, Kal πάντας ὕπνος ὑπειλήφει 
A 7 A ~ “ ~ 
νυστακτῆς, ἄχρι καὶ αὐτῶν τῶν οἰκετῶν. 
‘ \ ’ A 4 ~ 
"Eyw δὲ περιέβλεπον μὲν, εἴ τι τῶν ἀργυ- 
A can , ἐν.) ᾿ a 
ρῶν σκευῶν ὑφελέσθαι δυναίμην" ὡς de ταῦτα, 
’ 9 3 “ ’ \ 9 
ἔτι νηφόντων, ἐξ ὀφθαλμῶν ἐγεγόνει, Kal ἣν 
9 5 - ‘ 7, « Ἁ ΜΔ 
ἐν ἀσφαλεῖ, τὸ χειρόμακτρον ὑπὸ μάλης 
A 3 , 3 “ ~ “ 
λαβὼν ἐξηλλόμην, ὡς ἐν τῇ φυγῇ τῶν δια- 


βάθρων ἅτερον ἀποβαλεῖν. “Opa δὲ ὥς ἐστι 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 158 


XLVI. 
STEMPHYLOCHAERON TO TRAPEZOCHARON. 


Wuat a stroke of luck I have had! 
Perhaps you will ask me how. Well, I 
will tell you, and you will have no need 
to inquire. The city, as you know, was 
celebrating the Cureotis, and I, having 
been invited to the feast to amuse the 
guests, was dancing the cordax. The 
banqueters vied with one another in 
drinking, and the contest went on with- 
out stopping, until drunkenness overcame 
them all, and at length they became 
drowsy and fell asleep, even the servants. 
I looked round to see if I could filch 
some of the plate; but since this had 
been put away out of sight, in a place of 
safety, while they were still sober, I took 
a napkin under my arm and ran away 
in such a hurry that, during my flight, 
I lost one of my slippers. Look what ex- 


159 ΑΛΚΙΦΡΟΝῸΣ PHTOPOZ 


πολυτελὲς, ὀθόνης Αἰγυπτίας καὶ ἁλουργοῦ 
πορφύρας τῆς ᾿Ἑρμιονίτιδος λεπτὸν ἐς ὑπερ- 
βολὴν καὶ πολύτιμον ὕφασμααυ Ei τοῦτο 
ἀδεῶς ἀπεμπολήσαιμι, γαστριῶ σε ἀγαγὼν 
εἰς τὸν πανδοκέα Πιθαλίωνα: πολλὰς γὰρ 
e ΄ , , 2 4 
ὁμοῦ πολλάκις παροινίας ἀνέπλημεν: Kal 
χρή σε, τὸν κοινωνὸν τῶν δυστυχημάτων, 


μερίτην γενεσθαι καὶ τῆς εὐτυχούσης ἡμέρας. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 159 


pensive material it is made of—Egyptian 
linen and purple from Hermione: the tex- 
ture is exceedingly fine and very valuable. 
If I can safely dispose of it, I will treat 
you to a'good feed at Pinacion’s inn. 
For, since we have often had to put up 
with many drunken insults together, it is 
only fair that you, who have been the 
partner of my misfortunes, should share 
my good luck. 


160  AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


XLVII. 
Ὡρολόγιος Λαχανοθαυμάσῳ. 


ς “~ os ‘ ° e , 
Ἑρμῇ Kepdwe, καὶ ἀλεξίκακε ᾿ Ἡράκλεις, 
5 7, xa ‘ , » , 
ἀπεσώθην: οὐδὲν δεινὸν γένοιτο ἔτι. ΤΙροχόην 
9 ~ ~ 
ὑφελόμενος ἀργυρᾶν Paviov τοῦ πλουσίου, 
oO 93 “ 
δρόμῳ δοὺς φέρεσθαι, ἣν γὰρ ἀωρία νυκτὸς 
, 9 , ’ 9 ’ 
μεσούσης, ἠπειγόμην σώζειν ἐμαυτόν. ἸΚύνες 
δὲ ἐξαίφνης οἰκουροὶ περιχυθέντες ἄλλος 
A - A 
ἄλλοθεν χαλεποὶ καὶ βαρεῖς τὴν ὑλακὴν 
a ‘ ΠῚ 
ἐπΐεσαν, Μολοττοὶ καὶ ἹΚνώσιοι, ὑφ᾽ ὧν οὐδὲν 
9 ’; ’ e 9 ’ 4 7 ἴω 
ἐκώλυέ με ὡς ἠδικηκότα THY” Ἀρτεμιν διασπᾶσ- 
, ς ‘ 4 9 , 9 4 
θαι μέσον, ὡς μηδὲ τὰ ἀκρωτήρια εἰς τὴν 
e ’ ~ Ἁ 4 ~ 
ὑστεραίαν περιλειφθῆναι πρὸς ταφὴν τοῖς 
ς ’ ° + A , e775 
ἑτοίμοις εἰς ἔλεον καὶ συμπαθειαν. Εἰὑρὼν 
> ’ ἢ , 
οὖν ὑδρορρόον ἀνεῳγότα οὐκ εἰς βάθος ἀλλ᾽ 
9 “Ἠ A ς Α ᾿] ~ , 
ἐπιπολῆς, καὶ ὑποδὺς εἰς τοῦτον, κατεκρύβην. 


“ 4 
"Ett cot ταῦτα τρέμων καὶ παλλόμενος λέγω. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON το 


XLVII. 
~ HorROLoGiIus TO LACHANOTHAUMASUS. 


O MERcurRY, god of gain, and Her- 
cules, averter of evil! Iam saved. May 
I never be in such straits again. I had 
filched a silver pitcher from the wealthy 
Phanius, and had taken to flight; it was 
the dead of night, and I made all haste 
to get safely away. Suddenly the house- 
dogs, of Molossian and Cnosian breed, 
rushed upon me from all sides, and, 
barking loudly and fiercely, attacked me. 
I barely escaped being torn to pieces by 
them, as if I had offended Diana, so that 
not even my extremities would have re- 
mained for burial the next day, if any 
kind people had wanted to show their 
pity and sympathy. Finding, by good 
luck, an open watercourse of no great 
depth, I jumped into it and concealed 


myself. It makes me shake and tremble 
21 


161 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


ε ae, ’ , a ᾿ 
Kwopopov δὲ ἀνασχόντος, τῶν μὲν οὐκ 
> > 4 
ἠσθόμην οὐκ ἔθ᾽ ὑλακτούντων (οἴκοι γὰρ 
, A “ 
πάντες ἐδέδεντο): αὐτος δὲ εἰς Πειραιᾶ 
‘ a. le , 
δραμὼν, νηΐ Σικελικῇ λύειν μελλούσῃ τὰ 
, A , , "-“ , 
πρυμνήσια περιτυχὼν, ἀπεδόμην τῷ ναυκλήρῳ 
A ’ 4 ΄ Ἁ , » , 
τὴν προχόην. Kat νῦν τὸ τίμημα ἔχων ve- 
a / A , 
νασμαι τοῖς κέρμασι, καὶ νεόπλουτος ἐπανε- 
Α “ , “ 93 ’ 
λήλυθα, καὶ τοσοῦτον ῥιπίζομαι ταῖς ἐλπίσιν, 
ς 9 - ’ ’ 4A ~ 
ὡς ἐπιθυμεῖν κόλακας τρέφειν, καὶ κεχρῆσθαι 
, " - , Ψ > 7 oh 
παρασίτοις, ov παρασιτεῖν αὐτὸς. ᾿Αλλ ἣν 
, Ἁ “ , ° , 
τουτί TO πορισθὲν ἀργύριον ἀπαναλώσω, 
, em,” 4 > , 3 , , 
πάλιν ἐπὶ THY ἀρχαίαν ἐπιτήδευσιν τρέψομαι" 
sat v , a ~ ~ 
οὐδὲ γὰρ κύων σκυτοτραγεῖν μαθοῦσα τῆς 


/ 3 , 
τέχνης ἐπιλήσεται. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 161 


even now to tell you. As soon as it 
was daybreak, I heard their barking no 
more, for they had all been tied up in 
the house. I immediately hurried down 
to the Piraeus, and, finding a Sicilian 
vessel just about to set sail, I sold my 
pitcher to the skipper, so that I now 
have my pockets full of money. I have 
returned, newly enriched, and I am in 
such a flutter of expectation that I am 
eager to support some flatterers, and to 
keep parasites of my own, instead of 
being one myself. When I have spent 
the money I have just gained, I shall 
return to my old profession. A dog who 
has once become accustomed to gnaw 
leather will never forget the habit. 


2I——2 


162 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


XLVIII. 
Φλοιογλύπτης Μαππαφασίῳ. 


‘ “~ 3 ’ ‘ A 
Κακὸς κακῶς ἀπόλοιτο Kal ἄφωνος εἴη 
, e los , e , 
Λικύμνιος ὁ τῆς τραγῳδίας. “Os γὰρ ἐνίκα 
‘ ° ’ , Ἁ - Ἁ 
τοὺς ἀντιτέχνους Κριτίαν τὸν Κλεωναῖον, καὶ 
ev \ 
Irmracov τὸν ᾿Αμβρακιώτην τοὺς Αἰσχύλου 
᾿ Ἁ Sad A 
IIporourovs, Tope τινι καὶ γεγωνοτέρῳ 
’ “ 9 Ἁ 
φωνήματι χρησάμενος, γαῦρος ἦν, καὶ κιττο- 
Ἁ iy ’ a4 4 
στεφῆς ἦγε συμπόσιον: ἔνθα παραληφθεὶς, 
A A A χὰ ς , ~ \ 
φεῦ τῶν κακῶν οἷα ὑπέμεινα. Τοῦτο μὲν 
, ‘ ‘ 4 , A 
πιττούμενος THY κεφαλήν, Kal γάρῳ τοὺς 
A ’ cal ς A 
ὀφθαλμοὺς ῥαινόμενος" τοῦτο δὲ, ἀντὶ πλα- 
“". A + 9 9 , A 
κοῦντος, τῶν ἄλλων ἄμητας ἐσθιόντων καὶ 
“"Θ Ἁ “ ’ 
σησαμοῦντας, αὐτὸς μέλιτι δεδευμένους λίθους 
ς , e “ ‘ 9 , Ἁ 9 
ἀπέτραγον. Ἢ πασῶν δὲ ἱἰταμωτάτη, τὸ ἐκ 


“ ’ e , e , 
Κεραμεικοῦ πορνίδιον, ἡ μέτοικος, ἡ Pevearis 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 162 


XLVIII. 
PHLOIOGLYPTES TO MAPPAPHASIUS. 


CuRSED be Licymnius the tragedian ! 
may he be struck dumb! He had gained 
the victory over his competitors, Critias 
of Cleonae and Hippasus of Ambracia in 
the recital of the Propompi of Aeschylus ; 
and, although he owed his success only 
to the shrill and penetrating tone of his 
voice, he went mad over it, crowned his 
head with ivy, and gave a banquet. To 
my misfortune, I was invited: what in- 
sults did I not have to put up with! 
Some amused themselves with smearing 
my head with pitch, or dabbing fish-sauce 
in my eyes; others rammed down my 
throat stones moistened with honey, while 
they were eating cakes of milk and 
Indian corn. But the most mischievous 
of all was the little courtesan who has 
just taken up her quarters in the Cerami- 


163 AAKI®PPONOZY PHTOPOZ 


€ κ , ef ’ 

Υακινθὶς, κύστιν αἵματος πληρώσασα, κατα- 
ld ~ lo Ἁ ε ΄“ Ὁ , 
φέρει μου τῆς κεφαλῆς" καὶ ὁμοῦ TH κτύπῳ 
, ἣν e \ A ‘ ? 
λελούμην τῳ αἵματι. Kat τῶν μεν evwxov- 
’ ‘ ‘ ‘ 9 , af > ‘ 
μένων πολὺς Kal καπυρὸς ἐξεχύθη γέλως: ἐγὼ 

. δ \ ? > , 
de ὧν ἔπαθον μισθὸν οὐκ ἀπηνεγκάμην ἄξιον, 
U , “~ ‘ 
ἀλλά μοι γέγονε τῶν ὕβρεων ἀμοιβὴ τὸ 
, “ \ , A “J , , 
μέτρον τῆς γαστρος, πέρα de ovdev. Μήτε 
Oy b ’ 39 ‘ , e a 
οὖν εἰς νέωτα εἴη, μήτε μὴν Bion ὁ θεοῖς 
A εἴ A ~ % , 
ἐχθρὸς Λικύμνιος, ὃν ἐγὼ τῆς ἀχαρίστου φω- 
“ Ψ ᾽ , a \ e “a 
νῆς ἕνεκα ὀρθοκόρυζον καλεῖσθαι πρὸς ἡμῶν 
A ἴων “- ~ , » 
καὶ τοῦ χοροῦ τῶν Διονυσοκολάκων ἔκρινα. 


"ὃ 
ῥρωσο. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 163 


cus, Hyacinthis from Phenea; she filled 
a bladder with blood, and amused herself 
by beating me over the head with it; 
besides the noise this made, I was bathed in 
blood; and all the guests burst out into 
most immoderate shouts of laughter. And 
what adequate recompense did I receive 
for all I suffered? The only compensation 
for my insults was—that I got a bellyful, 
and that was all. May that enemy of 
the gods never live to see the new year! 
His voice is so disagreeable that I have 
determined that he shall be called by 
us and his fellow-actors—the prince of 
squallers. 


164 AAKI®PONOY ῬΉΤΟΡΟΣ 


XLIX. 
Καπνοσφράντης ᾿Αριστομάχῳ. 


> a of A 
Ὦ δαῖμον, ὅς με κεκλήρωσαι καὶ εἴληχας, 
ε δὲν 4 4 “eed. LE kin , , 
ws Tovnpos εἶ, καὶ λυπεῖς ἀεὶ τῇ πενίᾳ συνδέων. 
4 A 5) Ul “ “ ’ 
Ἣν γὰρ ἀπορία τοῦ καλοῦντος γένηται, 
σὰ ’ 9 U Α , a 
avaykn pe σκάνδικας ἐσθίειν καὶ γήθυα, ἢ 
, ° , 4 “ 9 , , 
ποας ἀναλέγειν, kat τῆς ᾿ΕΨνεακρούνου πίνοντα 
’ κι ’ > o ι 
πίμπλασθαι τὴν γαστέρα. Kira, ἕως μὲν τὰς 
ve \ “A e , 4 9 > ? ~ 
ὕβρεις TO σῶμα ὑπέμενε, καὶ ἣν ἐν ὥρᾳ τοῦ 
, , “3 “~ , 4 
πάσχειν νεότητι καὶ ἀκμῇ νευρούμενον, φορητὸς 
¢ 3 A 4 ‘ ‘ ’ , 
ἡ ὕβρις. ᾿Ἐπειδὴ δὲ τὸ λοιπὸν ἐγώ σοι 
, A ‘ , “-Ἥ͵ , 
μεσαιπόλιος, καὶ τὸ λειπόμενον τοῦ βίου 
Ἁ ~ e bag ΝΣ “ “~ 4 ε 
προς γῆρας ὁρᾷ, τίς ἴασις τῶν κακῶν ; ᾿ Ἀλιαρ- 
, Ἰ Α , ‘ Ἁ A 
τίου σχοινίου XPELA, καὶ κρεμήσομαι TPO τοῦ 
, «ἢ \ , , 
Διπύλου, ἣν μή τι δεξιὸν ἡ τύχη βουλεύσηται. 


“3 4 A ΄“ 9 ΄- 9 , , 
Ε δὲ καὶ τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἐπιμείνειεν, οὐ πρότερον 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 164 


XLIX. 
CAPNOSPHRANTES TO ARISTOMACHUS. 


O FATAL presiding genius of my 
destiny, how cruel thou art! how long 
wilt thou torture me, condemning me to 
all the horrors of poverty? For, if no 
one invites me to a meal, I shall be 
obliged to eat chervil and leeks, to pick 
herbs, and to quench my thirst with the 
water of Enneacrunus. As long as my 
frame was able to endure ill-treatment 
and was full of youthful vigour, I managed 
‘to put up with it; but now that my hair 
is beginning to turn grey, and all of life 
that is left to me is advancing towards 
old age, what remedy is there for my 
woes? Nothing is left for me but a 
rope from Haliartus, that I may go and 
hang myself in front of the Dipylum, 
unless it please Fortune to improve my 
lot. And, even if things remain as they 


165 AAKI®PONO> PHTOPOS 


, Ἁ Ul 4 , 
στραγγαλίσω τὸν τραχήλον, πρὶν τραπέζης 
~ A >] ‘ 
εαπολαῦσαι πολυτελοῦς. Οὐκ εἰς μακρὸν δὲ 
ε ’ δι . > + , 
ὁ περίβλεπτος οὗτος καὶ ἀοίδιμος γάμος 
σ΄ 4 , 
Χαριτοῦς καὶ Λεωκράτους μετὰ τὴν ἕνην καὶ 
, a “ “3 a U P| 4 
νέαν τοῦ Τ]νανεψηιῶνος, εἰς Ov πάντως ἢ Tapa 
\ , e ἡ 5) » 9 ’ , 
τὴν πρώτην ἡἥμεραν, ἢ τοῖς ἐπαυλίοις κεκλή- 
a 4 , A , 
coun. Δεῖ yap θυμηδίας καὶ παρασίτων 
“ A + ε “ > , U 
τοῖς γάμοις, καὶ ἄνευ ἡμῶν ἀνέορτα πάντα, 


‘ “ 
kat συῶν οὐκ ἀνθρώπων πανήγυρις. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 165 


are, at least, I won’t throttle myself until 
I have had a regular good meal. In a 
short time, after the new moon of the 
month Pyanepsion, the famous and much- 
talked of wedding of Charito and Leo- 
crates will take place; I shall be invited 
for the first, or, at any rate, for the 
second day. Marriage feasts need the 
presence of parasites to amuse the com- 
pany: without us there is not the same 
air of enjoyment: the guests are more 
like pigs than an assembly of human 
beings. 


166 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


1. 


, ’ ἢ 
Βουκοπνίκτης Αντοπίκτῃ. 


9 “" , e ~ , 4 « , 
Οὐκ ἀνέχομαι ὁρῶν Ζευξίππην τὴν ἱππό- 
oe] “ “ , , 9 
πορνον ἀπηνῶς τῷ μειρακίῳ χρωμένην: οὐ 
‘ ὁ a " 9 κι , / 4 
yap δαπανᾶται εἰς αὐτὴν χρυσίον μόνον Kal 
" , tA? 6 \ , aera , 
ἀργύριον, 6 ἤδη καὶ συνοικίας καὶ ἀγρούς. 
ε 4 93 4 , ᾿] Ἁ + 
H de ἐπὶ πλέον ἐκτύφεσθαι τὸν ἔρωτα 
, , “ ᾿] ’ 7 A 
τούτῳ μηχανωμένη, τοῦ Εἰὐβοέως ἐρᾶν mpos- 
- “- , oe A 4 , 
ποιεῖται TOU νεανίσκου, ἵνα Kal τὰ τούτου 
9 + , \ + 
σπαθήσασα, ἐπ᾽ ἄλλον τρέψῃ τὸν ἔρωτα. 
A A 9 ~ A ’ e “ e , 
"Ey δὲ ὀδυνῶμαι τὴν καρδίαν, ὁρῶν ὑποῤῥέ- 
wn wn εἴ - 
οντα τοσοῦτον πλοῦτον, OV οἱ μακαρῖται 
3 ~~ , 4 , , 
αὐτῷ Λυσίας καὶ Φανοστράτη κατέλιπον. 
a A 5" “- 9 ‘ 
A yap ἐκεῖνοι κατ᾽ ὀβολὸν συνήγαγον, 
5 , ο nw A , nw A 
ἀθρόως ἀναλοῖ τὸ πολύκοινον τοῦτο Kal 


ς , , , \ > 
αἰσχρότατον γύναιον. LIacyw μὲν οὖν τι 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON τ66 


ἘΣ 
BUCOPNICTES ΤῸ ANTOPICTES. 


I CANNOT endure to see Zeuxippe, the 
most infamous of all our courtesans, treat 
that young man so cruelly. He has 
not only spent all his money upon her, 
but, at the rate he is going, he will soon 
have parted with his houses and land. 
In order to keep his passion alive, she 
pretends to be in love with a young 
Euboean ; by her artifices she will succeed 
in ruining them both; after which she 
will turn her attention to a fresh lover. 
But my heart is torn with grief, when I 
see the splendid inheritance which Lysias 
and Phanostrata, of blessed memory, have 
left to their heir, being squandered so 
rapidly. What they painfully amassed 
obol by obol will be swallowed up in one 
moment at the caprice of the commonest 
and most disgusting woman in Athens. 


167 AAKISPONOZ PHTOPOX 


΄“- 4 
καὶ ἐπὶ τῷ μειρακίῳ: κύριος γὰρ γενόμενος 
nw 4 A "» 
τῆς οὐσίας, πολλὴν τὴν εἰς ἡμᾶς φιλανθρωπίαν 
ς ~ A 4 τ 
ἀνεδείξατος Op δὲ καὶ τὰ ἡμέτερα σκά- 
ς ‘ J , 4 Uy ‘ 
ζοντα" εἰ yap εἰς ταύτην ἅπαντα τεθείη τὰ 
4 tA “~ ’ “A > 
προσόντα τούτῳ τῷ βελτίστῳ, καλῶς, ὦ 
4 ΄“ °’ , ~ ~ 
θεοὶ, καλῶς ἀπολαύσομεν τῆς πλησμονῆς. 
7 Ἁ ee ἃ , 
ἔστι yap, ws οἷσθα, ἁπλοϊκὸς ὁ Φίληβος, 
‘ Ἁ ΄“΄ A , 
καὶ πρὸς ἡμᾶς τοὺς παρασίτους ἐπιεικὴς 
A 4 \ , ? - ἝΝ 
καὶ μέτριος τὸν τρόπον, ῳδαῖς μᾶλλον καὶ 


γέλωτι 4 ταῖς εἰς ἡμᾶς ὕβρεσι θελγόμενος. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON τ) 


I feel compassion for the youth, for, as 
soon as he became his own master, he 
showed great kindness to us; it will 
be a great misfortune for us, if he is 
ruined. If this excellent young man’s 
entire fortune makes its way into this 
woman’s hands, good Heavens! what a 
charming feast we shall have! Philebus, 
as you know, is a simple fellow; he has 
always been gentle and kind to us para- 
sites; he takes more pleasure in our witti- 
cisms and songs than in insulting us. 


168 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


Li. 
Λαιμοκύκλῳ Ψικλεολόβη. 


> A 4 4 ’ , 4 A a“ 
Ἰδοὺ μετὰ τὸν Evpoérav καὶ τὸ Λερναῖον 
ῳ Ν ," , U ἥν τὰς n~ 
ὕδωρ καὶ τὰ Ilepyvns νάματα, ἐρῶν τῆς 
’ 9 , , 
Καλλιῤῥόης, ἐκ Κορίνθου πάλιν ᾿Αθήναζε 
’ ΕῚ ’ ~ 7 
κατεπείγομαι: οὐ γὰρ me τῶν τρυφημάτων 
“A 9 , 56" ΕΣ 3 φΦι γὰὼν 
τῶν ἐν τούτοις οὐδὲν ἤρεσεν: ἀλλ᾽ ἕτοιμος 
, ° a 4 , ἴω 
ἐνθένδε ἀποσοβεῖν, καὶ σπεύδειν ὡς ὑμᾶς. 
, 4 f “ A 
᾿Αχάριστοι yap ὥφθησαν οἵδε καὶ ἥκιστα 
, 4 ’ 9 ? o ς 
CUMTOTIKOL’ καὶ πλείους παρ᾽ αὐτοῖς αἱ 
’ “A “5 , ς 37 
παροινίαι τῶν ἀπολαύσεων. ὥς ἄμεινον 
A ’ a , 9 6 “A 
ἐμοὶ ὀλύνθους ἢ παλάθας ἐπιμασᾶσθαι τῶν 
9 > «ἃ Ν Ν Ν ’ , 
Αττικῶν, ἢ διὰ TO Tapa τούτοις χρυσίον 
ς , A > a > 
ἀποδρύπτεσθαι. Οἷα yap οἷα νεουργεῖν ἐπι- 


“ ς , ᾿] , - ? 
χείρουσιν, ἀναγκάζοντες ἀσκωλιάζοντας TLVelV 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON τ68 


Go 
PsICLEOLOBE TO LAEMOCYCLUS. 


I HAVE travelled over the countries 
watered by the Eurotas and Lerna’s marsh; 
I have seen the streams of Pirene; now 
I eagerly leave Corinth for Athens, and 
return with renewed affection to the 
fountain of Callirhoe. The luxury’ and 
festivities of those places have no charms 
for me; I abandon them without regret, 
and hasten back to you. 

The inhabitants of Peloponnesus ap- 
peared to me ill-mannered and by no 
means pleasant table-companions ; at their 
drinking parties, one finds more insults 
than pleasure. For this reason, I prefer 
to content myself with the figs and raisins 
of Attica, rather than run the risk of 
growing thin for the gold of Corinth. 
They are always inventing new tortures ; 
they make us drink while dancing on 

22 


169 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOX 


, ’ > 4 ‘ + a ‘ 
διαπυρόν τε οἶνον καὶ θερμὸν ἄνευ τοῦ πρὸς 
’ ’ 3 3 L4 
ὕδωρ κράματος καταχέοντες: εἶτ᾽ ὀστέα, 
“~ , A 4 ’ , - 
κῶλα τε Kal ἀστραγάλους, καθαπερ τοῖς 
‘ ε ~ , | Ul ᾽ e 
κυσὶ παραῤῥιπτοῦντες, καὶ νάρθηκας erippyy- 
, A , A “ a ς κ 
VUVTES, καὶ σκύτεσι καὶ τοῖς ἄλλοις ἱμᾶσιν 
+] A ~ , 3 4 , 
ἀντὶ παιδιᾶς πλήττοντες. ᾿Ἐϊμοὶ γένοιτο, 
’ 9 ΄σ A “ “A Ν᾿ 
πρόμαχε ᾿Αθηνᾶ καὶ πολιοῦχε τοῦ ἄστεος, 
A “ ‘ \ ’ δ 
᾿Αθήνησι καὶ ζῆσαι καὶ τὸν βίον ἀπολι- 
- + 4 Ἁ ~ , 
πεῖν. "“Apevov yap πρὸ τῆς δΔιομηίδος 
my ᾿ A ς , . ’ a 
πύλης ἢ πρὸ τῶν ᾿ἱππάδων ἐκτάδην πατεῖ- 
‘ , , a ~ 
σθαι νεκρὸν τύμβου περιχυθέντος, ἢ τῆς 


Πελοποννήσου εὐδαιμονίας ἀνέχεσθαι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 169 


one leg; they pour down our throats hot, 
fiery wine without water; then they throw 
us the bones and feet from the joints as 
if we were dogs, break their canes over 
our backs, and, by way of amusing them- 
selves, flog us with whips and thongs. 
O Minerva, guardian and defender of the 
city, may it be my lot to live and die at 
Athens! It is better to be stretched 
lifeless in front of the Diomeian or 
Knights’ gates, to be trampled under the 
feet of the passers-by, with the bare 
earth around me for a grave, than to put 
up with the pleasures of Peloponnesus. 


22—2 


170 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


LII. 


Κοπαδίων Ἐῥηνίσσῳ. 


᾿,᾿ , ’ Ψ Ν ’ 
Οὔ μοι μέλει: ποιούντων ὅσα καὶ βού- 
, , A , 
λονται ῥιψοκίνδυνοι Ἰρόνθων καὶ Σαρδανά- 
A ‘ “- “ 9 
παλος: ἐμὲ γὰρ κοινωνῆσαι τῆς ἀτόπου 
, 59) hee δ, μον ἐν , ᾽ 
πράξεως ἀδύνατον, οὐδὲ εἰ μάντευμά μοι ἐκ 
~ y \ 93 , 4 ~ 
τῆς Awdwvaias δρυὸς ἐπιτρέποι τὴν πράξιν, 
ε , > , , , ‘ 
ws ἔστιν ἐργάζεσθαι xpyorn φύεται γὰρ 
% ΓᾺΡ A ‘ ‘ Α 
σπανίως καὶ ἐν παισὶ τὸ χρηστὸν καὶ πιστὸν 
> ᾿ , , a , 
ἦθος καὶ ὑγιές. Πάντως οὖν ἀφεκτέον: ὑπο- 
A A A Α “A ~ ᾽ν Ψ 
πειρῶσι γὰρ τὴν παλλακὴν τοῦ τῆς οἰκίας 
Α πὶ ~ ‘ 
δεσπότου, καὶ ἤδη αὐτοῖς ἡ πρᾶξις εἰς τὴν 
A , A ° ~ ~ 
ἀκμὴν προκεχώρηκε. Καὶ οὐκ ἀρκοῦνται τῇ 
“A 9 , ° , ”~ 9 ἈΝ ‘ 
τῶν ἀφροδισίων ἀθέσμῳ πλησμονῇ, ἀλλὰ γὰρ 
A 9 “ 43 1k , 9. «ἡ Φ ’ 
τὰ εκ τῆς οἰκίας σκεύη καθ᾽ ἕν ὥσπερ φώρια 
’ Ae A + ‘ 
λαμβάνουσι. Kai tows μὲν ἄχρι τινὸς λήσε- 
Ox , , , 
ται TOUpyov πραττόμενον: πάντως δέ ποτε 


ἢ λάλος γείτων ἢ ψίθυρος οἰκέτης ἀγορεύσει 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 170 


LAE 
COPADION TO EVENISSUS. 


I witt have nothing to do with it! 
Let Gronthon and Sardanapalus do what 
they please. They are regular mad-caps, 
and they shall never persuade me to take 
part in so disgraceful a deed. I will do 
nothing of the sort, even though the 
oracle of Dodona were to recommend it as 
an honourable act. It is a rare thing to 
find in slaves either prudence, faithfulness, 
or honour. The whole affair is by all 
means to be avoided. You must know they 
are trying to seduce the mistress of the head 
of a household, and have already suc- 
ceeded in the attempt; and, not satisfied 
with having got all they wanted, they 
are carrying off the furniture, one article 
after the other. 

Perhaps their thefts will escape notice 
for a while; but, sooner or later, the 
neighbours will talk, the servants will 


171 AAKI@PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


Ν “-“ 9 ? , , Wah Se 4 Α 

τὸ πράγμα εἰς τοὐμφανὲς" καὶ ἀναγκὴ μετὰ 
a 4 4 4 s , 

πῦρ Kat σίδηρον καὶ τὰς πολλὰς βασάνους 
’ " a , ‘ , “ \ , 

τέλος αὐτοῖς γενέσθαι TO κώνειον ἢ TO Bapa- 
9 A 4 , ge ᾿ 

θρον' ἀφειδῶς yap χρώμενοι τῷ τολμήματι 


3 , ς sig , ‘ , 9 , 
ἰσόῤῥοπον TH πράξει τὴν τιμωρίαν ἐκτίσουσι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 171 


whisper, and the whole affair will be 
found out; and the end of it all will be, 
that the criminals will be condemned to 
drink hemlock, or thrown into the pit 
after they have suffered torture, imprison- 
ment, and other punishments. Those 
who aid and abet such a crime without 
any shame will certainly suffer punish- 
ment in proportion to their’ misdeeds. 


172 AAKI®PONOD PHTOPOZ 


LIII. 
᾿Ακρατολύμας Χωνεικράτῳ. 


A ’ A Ἁ , 5 
Χθὲς Kapiwvos περὶ τὸ φρέαρ ἀσχολου- 
, . ? > ~ , > eo, 
μένου εἰσέφρησα εἰς TOUTTAVLOV' εἶτα εὑρων 
; > , , > τ πᾷ 
λοπαδα εὖ μαλα κεκαρυκευμένην, καὶ ἀλεκτρυ- 
, " \ A , , yt 
ova ὀπτὸν, καὶ χύτραν μεμβράδας ἔχουσαν, 
ΝΣ ἀπ Soe : Rite 
καὶ ἀφύας Meyapixds, e€ypraca’ καὶ ἀπο- 
, “ , 2oPr Ἁ ? , 
πηδήσας, Tot καταχθείην ἐζήτουν, καὶ εὐκαίρως 
, , 3 U A , ‘ 
μόνος ἂν φάγοιμι. ᾿Απορίᾳ δὲ τόπου δραμὼν 
3 ‘ Ἁ , A ‘ 9 me , 
ἐπὶ τὴν LLouiAny (καὶ yap οὐκ ἠνόχλει ταύτην 
A e ~ " , A , 
οὐδὲ εἷς τῶν ἀδολέσχων τουτωνὶ φιλοσοφων), 
-“ ~ , 95 ’ 4 
κεῖθι τῶν πόνων ἀπήλανον. ᾿Ανανεύσας δε 
~ , e ~ , ~ ° Ἁ ~ 
τῆς λοπάδος, ὁρῶ προσίοντα τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς 
, ‘ , ‘ , Ν ‘ 
τηλίας τινὰ νεανίσκων, Kat δείσας, Ta μεν 
, », ’ , ΒΊΟΝ Α ° 
βρώματα ὄπισθεν ἀπεθέμην, αὐτὸς δὲ ets 


aS > , , 4 , A 
τοὔδαφος εκείμην κρύπτων TA KAEUMaATA Kat 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 172 


LILI. 
ACRATOLYMAS TO CHONEICRATUS. 


YESTERDAY, while Charion was busy 
at the well, I slipped into the kitchen. 
There I saw a large dish filled with ex- 
quisite dainties, a roast fowl, and a pot 
containing anchovies and sardines from 
Megara. I seized hold of it, and, hastily 
retiring, looked about for a convenient 
spot whither I might betake myself to 
have a comfortable meal. As I could 
not find any place handy, I ran to 
the Painted Porch, and, as it just 
happened to be the time when it was not 
infested by any chattering philosophers, I 
began to enjoy the fruit of my labours. 
But, looking up from my dish, I saw ap- 
proaching one of those young men from 
the gaming-table, and, seized with alarm, 
I threw what I was eating behind me, 
and flung myself on the ground, intend- 


173 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


᾿] a , ’ = 4 
ηὐχόμὴν τοῖς ἀποτροπαίοις παρελθεῖν τὸ 
, ε ’ “ et 
νέφος, ὑποσχόμενος λιβανωτοῦ χόνδρους, ovs 
+ 5 , ~ ε ~ ΕΣ > ’ 
οἴκοι ἀναλεξάμενος τῶν ἱερῶν ἔχω, εὖ μάλα 
᾽ ~ 4 b] " ld c ‘ 
εὐρωτιῶντας, καὶ οὐκ HaoTOXnTa: οἱ θεοὶ γὰρ 
᾽ 4 + εολ + 3 ‘ i 
αὐτὸν ἄλλην odov ἔτρεψαν: Kayw σπουδῇ 
, , ᾽ Ὁ »» “ 
καταβροχθίσας πάνθ᾽ ὅσα ἐνέκειτο τοῖς 
, f - A , ‘ ‘ 
σκεύεσι, φίλῳ πανδοκεῖ τήν λοπαδα Kat TO 
’ Ν , ~ , 
χυτρίδιον, τὰ λείψανα τῶν κλεμμάτων, 
Ul ‘ 3 , 5 , Ἁ 
χάρισμα δοὺς, ἀπεχώρησα, ἐπιεικής τις καὶ 


ὔ 9 la , , , 
μέτριος EK TOV δωρημάτων avapayets. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 173 


ing to conceal my theft. I prayed to 
the averting gods that the storm might 
pass by, promising them some grains of 
incense, which I had picked up at the 
sacrifices and keep at home, although 
they are quite mouldy. My prayers were 
heard; for the gods made him turn 
in another direction. Having hurriedly 
gulped down all that was in the dishes, 
I gave the plate, the pot, and the frag- 
ments of what I had stolen to a friendly 
tavern-keeper, and departed, having thus 
gained a reputation for liberality and 
generosity. 


174 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


LIV. 


Χυτρολείκτης Πατελλοχάροντι. 


, ον πον > + Ε , 
Τί δακρύεις; ἴσως ἐρήσῃ με, ἢ πόθεν 
, A , aA ~ Ἁ , A an 
κατέαγα TO κρανίον, ἢ πῶς TO ἀνθηρὸν τοῦτο 
> , ¢ ~ IE ΠΣ, ~. ope 
εἰς μέρη κατεῤῥωγὸς ἱμάτιον φορῶ ; ᾿Βνίκησα 
, li , 4 
κυβεύων, ὡς μή ποτ᾽ ὥφελον. Ti yap ἔδει 
ς , a4 ε , , 
με ἀσθενέστερον ὄντα ῥωμαλέοις συνεξετά- 
ἢ oe ᾿ ν ee \ ΤυΝΝ 
ζεσθαι veavias; ᾿Επεὶ yap εἰς ἐμαυτὸν ὅλας 
.. 3s nr ’ > , 14 δύσι Σ 
τὰς ἐκθέσεις συνελεξάμην, ἀπορία δὲ ἣν αὐτοῖς 
A 5" , ’ 9 4 ’ 
παντελὴς ἀργυρίου, ἐπ᾽ ἐμὲ πάντες ὥρμησαν' 
4 ‘ ἃ ἀπ @ 5 A , 
καὶ of μὲν πὺξ ἔπαιον, ἄλλοι δὲ λίθοις 
> -~ e ‘ , Ἁ ς ’ 3 A 
ἐχρῶντο, of δὲ διέσχιζον τὸ ἱμάτιον. ᾿Εγὼ 
4 κ᾿ A " ’ ~ , 9 - 
δὲ ἀπρὶξ εἰχύμην τῶν κερμάτων, ἀποθανεῖν 
, a , , “~ A 
πρότερον ἢ προέσθαι τι ἐκείνοις τῶν ἐμοὶ 
, , A A 4 
πεπορισμένων αἱρούμενος" καὶ δὴ μέχρι τινὸς 
" , , A ‘ 4 ~ ~ 
ἀντέστην γενναίως, καὶ Tas φορὰς τῶν πληγῶν 
ς , 4 A Ε] A κ᾿ 
ὑπομένων, καὶ Tas ἐκστροφας τῶν δακτύλων 
5" , A “a? , 
ἀνεχόμενος, καὶ ἤμην οἷα τις Σπαρτιατῆς 
29 bas, ~ ~ ~ 9 ’ , 
ἀνὴρ ἐπὶ τοῦ βωμοῦ τῆς ᾿Ορθίας τυπτόμενος. 
9 > , Ou ~ 
"AXN οὐκ jv Λακεδαίμων, ἐν 7 ταῦτα ὑπέμενον, 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 174 


LIV. 
_CHYTROLEICTES TO PATELLOCHARON. 


PERHAPS you will ask me why I am 
weeping, how I got my skull broken, 
and why I am wearing this fine coat 
torn to rags. I won some money—would 
to Heaven I never had! What right 
had I, weak as I was, to pit myself 
against stalwart young men? When I 
had swept in all the stakes, and they 
were entirely cleaned out, they all fell 
upon me; some beat me with their fists, 
others pelted me with stones, and others 
tore my clothes. But 1 kept tight hold 
of my money, resolved to die rather than 
surrender any of my winnings to them. 
For a time I resisted bravely, enduring 
the blows they dealt me, and the wrench- 
ing of my fingers; I was like a Spartan 
who is being flogged at the altar of 
Diana. But it was not at Lacedaemon 


175  AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOX 


~ A “ ~ 

ἀλλ᾽ ᾿Αθῆναι, καὶ τῶν ᾿Αθήνησι κυβευτῶν of 
, , > . " ~ 

ἐξωλέστατοι. Τέλος οὖν λειποθυμήσας ἀφῆκα 

- 9 , , 7 A A ‘ 

τοῖς ἐναγέσι λαμβάνειν: of δὲ καὶ TO προ- 

’ , 4 A 9 , 9 , 

κόλπιον διηρεύνησαν, Kal τὰ ἐν τούτῳ ἐγκεί- 
’ Ε “~ 3 , ~ , 

μενα φέροντες ᾧχοντο, τοῦτ᾽ ἐμοῦ λώιον 

ῃ ’ A a ” , a ᾿ 

ἡγησαμένου τὸ ζῆν ἄνευ χρημάτων ἢ μετὰ 


’ a 
χρημάτων τεθνάναι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 175 


that I endured this treatment, but at 
Athens, and at the hands of the most 
rascally gamblers in the city. At last, 
I gave up the struggle and left myself at 
the mercy of the vile wretches, who turned 
out my pockets and went off with what 
they found in them. I thought it better 
to live without money than to die with 
it in my possession. 


176 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


LV. 
Αὐτόκλητος Erotpapiaty. 


7 a A , ~ a“ 

Ὀλίψα ἢ οὐδὲν διαφέρουσι τῶν ἰδιωτῶν 

e 4 κι X \ ‘ ‘ ᾽ ‘ 

οἱ σεμνοὶ καὶ TO καλὸν Kal THY ἀρετὴν 
’ “ ’ ’ \ ’ 

ἐξυμνοῦντες: τούτους λέγω τοὺς ἐργολα- 

A A U “Ὁ “ , 

Botvras τὰ μειράκια, Οἷον γὰρ, οἷον érabé 

, , , ‘ 

σε συμπόσιον, Σκαμωνίδον γενέσια θυγατρὸς 

¢ ’ , . 3 ᾽ 

ἑορτάζοντος. Καλέσας γὰρ ἔναγχος οὐκ 

“7 ~ A , 9 “ 

ὀλίγους τῶν προὔχειν δοκούντων ᾿Αθήνησι 
᾽ ΄ 4 “a 

πλούτῳ καὶ γένει, φήθη δεῖν Kai τοῖς φιλο- 

~ ~ ς , “ 9 

σοφοῦσι κοσμῆσαι τὴν εὐωχίαν. ἸΙαρῆν οὖν 

υ , 9 A ’ \ “- ε 

ἐν τούτοις Εὐὐθυκλῆς ὁ στωικὸς, οὗτος ὁ 

~ \ , Ν 

πρεσβύτης, ὁ κουρειῶν TO γένειον, ὁ ῥυπαρὸς, 

A 4 ’ \ € ‘ ς 

ὁ τὴν κεφαλὴν avxuypos, ὁ γεγηρακὼς, ὁ 
~ + \ ’ 

ῥυσότερον τῶν βαλαντίων ἔχων τὸ μέτωπον. 
“ A A , “ 

Παρῆν δὲ καὶ Θεμισταγόρας ὁ ἐκ τοῦ περι- 

’ 9 AR rd ld φ “-. »»ὕ “ 

πάτου, ἀνὴρ οὐκ ἄχαρις ὀφθῆναι, οὔλῃ τῇ 
, , > A ee 

yeveradt λαμπρυνόμενος. ~Hy de καὶ ὁ ’Em- 

, 9 ° \ ‘ 

κούρειος Lyvoxpatys, οὐκ ἀτημελητὸς τοὺς 

4A Ἁ a ὯΝ 
κικίννους, καὶ αὐτὸς ὑπὸ βαθεῖ τῷ πώγωνι 


, “ eed ~ 4 
σεμνυνόμενος. Ore ἀοίδιμος (τοῦτο γὰρ 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 176 


εν. 
AUTOCLETUS TO HETOEMARISTUS. 


THOSE solemn personages, who are 
always singing the praises of the good and 
of virtue, differ little or nothing from or- 
dinary individuals; I mean those fellows 
who go after our young men for money. 
What a banquet you missed, when Sca- 
monides gave a feast in honour of his 
daughter’s birthday. Having recently in- 
vited a number of the wealthiest and 
noblest in Athens, he thought it his duty 
also to grace the festivities with the 
presence of philosophers. Amongst these 
was Euthycles the Stoic, an old man 
with a long beard, dirty, filthy-headed, 
decrepit, with more wrinkles in his fore- 
head than a leather pouch. There were 
also present Themistagoras the Peripa- 
tetic, not an unpleasant person to look 
at, with a fine curly beard; Zenocrates 
the Epicurean, with carefully trimmed 
locks, and a long and venerable beard; 

23 


177. AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


Ἁ ~ f e 
πρὸς ἁπάντων ἐκαλεῖτο), ᾿Αρχίβιος ὁ ἸΤυθα- 
Ω 4 ~ 
γορικὸς, @Xpov ἐπὶ τοῦ προσώπου πολὺν 
’ “ο Ἁ ~ ~ 
ἐπιβεβλημένος, πλοκάμους ἀπὸ τῆς κεφαλῆς 
“4 “A ~ A 4 A 
μέχρι στέρνων αὐτῶν αἰωρῶν, ὀξὺ καὶ μακρὸν 
ι , 4 ~ 4 A 
καθεικὼς TO γένειον, τὴν ῥῖνα ἐπικαμπῆς, TO 
A, 9 “ δ ’ A 
στόμα ἐπιχειλῆς, αὐτῷ τῷ πεπιέσθαι καὶ 
7 , 
λίαν μεμυκέναι τὴν ἐχεμυθίαν ὑποσημαίνων. 
; ‘ 4A , 
Ἐξαίφνης δὲ καὶ ὁ ILayxparys ὁ Κύων, ῥύμῃ 
A 4 , 
τοὺς πολλοὺς παρωσάμενος εἰσήῤῥησε, στε- 
a , - , τ ὧν ᾿ ᾧ τι τς a 
Aew πρινίνῳ ἐπερειδόμενος" ἣν yap ἀντὶ τοῦ 
, ~ a» ΄“ ¢ 
TUKVOMATOS τῶν ὄζων χαλκοῖς τισιν ἥλοις 
’ , ’ ‘ ‘ 
ἐμπεπαρμένην φέρων βακτηρίαν, καὶ τὴν 
, , Ν \ \ U 5) 
πήραν διάκενον, καὶ πρὸς τὰ λείψανα εὐζώ- 
9 ’ e A 9 3 ° ὃ. 4% “ 
vos ἠἡρτημένην. Ot μεν οὖν ἄλλοι ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς 
/ 4 A A A 
εἰς τέλος παραπλησίαν τινὰ καὶ THY αὐτὴν 
“" ~ , A 9 ’ 
εἶχον τῆς ἑστιάσεως τὴν ἀκολουθίαν: οἱ 
’ὔ A ..7 ~ , ‘ 
φιλόσοφοι de, προϊόντος τοῦ συμποσίου, καὶ 
“A , “a , + 
τῆς φιλοτησίας συνεχῶς περισοβουμένης, ἀλ- 
cA , “ 
Nos ἄλλην τερατείαν ἐπεδείξατο. ὐὐθυκλῆς 
κ \ A oe A 
yap ὁ ετωικὸς ὑπὸ γήρως καὶ πλησμονῆς 
ν , , » « , 
ἐκτάδην κείμενος ἔρεγχεν. Ὁ LlvOayopecos 
4 Α -΄- ~~ “΄- 7 
δὲ τὴν σιωπὴν λύσας, τῶν χρυσῶν ἐπῶν κατὰ 
᾿ ε , > , ς , 
τινα μουσικὴν ἁρμονίαν ἐτερέτιζε. Ὁ βὲλ- 
Α ’ A 
τίιστος δὲ Θεμισταγόρας, ἅτε τὴν εὐδαιμο- 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 77 


the “famous” Archibius the Pythagorean, 
as he is called, with a very pale face, 
waving hair that reached down to his 
chest, a long and pointed chin, a turned- 
up nose, lips drawn in and tightly com- 
pressed, an indication of his_ reserve. 
Suddenly Pancrates the Cynic, violently 
thrusting the others aside, forced his way 
in, leaning on a staff of holm-oak, which, 
in place of thick knots, was studded with 
brass nails, and carrying an empty wallet, 
conveniently slung for carrying away the 
remains of the feast. All the other guests, 
from beginning to end, maintained a uni- 
form and orderly behaviour; but the 
philosophers, as the entertainment went 
on, and the wine-cup went round, began 
to behave in a most extraordinary fashion. 
Euthycles the Stoic, overcome by his years 
and having eaten and drunk too much, 
lay stretched out at full length, snor- 
ing loudly. The Pythagorean, breaking 
through his silence, began to trill the 
** Golden Verses”’ to a kind of musical 
air. The excellent Themistagoras, who, 
according to the doctrine of the Peripa- 
23—2 


178 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


’ A ‘ - , , ° 
νίαν κατὰ τὸν TOU περιπατον λόγον, οὐ 
a 4A ’ ’ ° A 4 ΄- 9 \ 
«ψυχῇ καὶ σώματι μόνον, ἀλλα Kal τοῖς ἐκτὸς 
ε Ld ° , , , ‘ 
ὁριζόμενος, ἀπΐτει πλείονα πέμματα, Kal 
, “ 4 “A , A 
ποικιλίαν τῶν ὄψων δαψιλῆ. Znvoxpatns de 
, A U \ 
ὁ Ἐπικούρειος τὴν wWadtpiav’ ὡς αὑτὸν 
3 , \ ‘ ε ‘ , 
ἐνηγκαλίζετο, τακερὸν καὶ ὑγρὸν προσβλέ- 
, - 5», ΄ 
πων ὑπομεμυκόσι τοῖς ὄμμασι, λέγων τοῦτο 
9 ‘ “A Ἁ ᾿ J ‘ 7 
εἶνι TO τῆς σαρκὸς aoxAnTov, καὶ τὴν 
, κι s e , ‘ 
καταπύκνωσιν τοῦ ἡδομένου . O Κύων δὲ 
~ + ‘ A ‘ 9 , 
πρῶτα οὔρει κατὰ THY κυνικὴν ἀδιαφορίαν 
9 ὔ U A A A , 
εἰς σύρμα χαλάσας, καὶ καθεὶς TO τριβώνιον, 
" ᾿ , \ \ ery 
ἔπειτα καὶ Δωρίδα τὴν μουσουργόν, οἷος ἣν 
᾽ ’ a ε , "“ oe 3 a 
ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἁπάντων ὁρώντων ἐνεργεῖν, 
, " ᾿ , > ‘ , 
φάσκων ἀρχὴν γενέσεως εἶναι τὴν φύσιν. 
ef « “ ~*~ [ 9 , 9 
ὥστε ἡμῶν τῶν παρασίτων οὐδείς ἐστι 
ἢ ἫΝ t ᾿ \ , 
λόγος: τὸ γὰρ θέαμα καὶ τὴν θυμηδίαν 
» A “~ ° ~ , 
παρεῖχεν οὐδεὶς τῶν εἰς τοῦτο κεκληρωμένων, 
’ , « Ἁ A - 
καίτοι γε Φοιβιάδης ὁ κιθαρῳδὸς, καὶ μῖμοι 
, A Ld A ’ 
γελοίων οἱ περὶ Σαννυρίωνα καὶ Φιλιστιαδὴν 
5] , Ν ’ a A 
οὐκ ἀπελείποντο. ᾿Αλλὰ πάντα φροῦδα καὶ 
9 ° , ° a A / ε 4. 
οὐκ ἀξιόθεα: εὐδοκιμεῖ δὲ μόνος ὃ τῶν σο- 


φιστῶν λῆρος. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 178 


tetics, places happiness not in bodily or 
mental advantages alone, but also in ex- 
ternal enjoyment, asked for more pastry, 
and plenty of different dainties; Zeno- 
crates the Epicurean took the girl who 
played the harp in his arms, looking at 
her wantonly and lasciviously with half- 
shut eyes, declaring that this quieted the 
desires of the flesh, and was the per- 
fection of enjoyment. The Cynic, with 
the indifference of his sect, let down his 
cloak and publicly made water, and then 
proceeded to copulate with Doris the 
singing-girl, so that everyone could see 
him, declaring that nature was the prin- 
ciple of generation. No one took any 
notice of us parasites; none of those who 
were invited had a chance of showing 
what they could do to amuse the com- 
pany, although Phoebiades, the lute- 
player, was there, and the comic mimes 
Sannyrion and Philistiades were not 
absent. But it was all in vain; these 
were not thought worth looking at; the 
nonsense of the sophists was the only 
thing that met with approval. 


179 AAKI®PONOS PHTOPOD 


LVI. 
Θυμβροφάγος Κυπελλίστῃ. 


2 [ ‘ A A 
Eraipers σεαυτὸν, οὐδὲν δέον, καὶ βαδίζεις 
393 A 4 > κ᾿ A nw 
ἴσα On, καὶ τύφου πλήρης εἶ, τοῦτο δὴ TO τοῦ 
’ a A " D4 “ 
λόγου, ΤΠυθοκλεῖ, καὶ ἀποφέρῃ μερίδας τῶν 
° , ᾽ la 4 , , 
ἀρίστων. Οὐκοῦν τὰς σπυρίδας καθημέραν 
“᾿. ‘ , “ 
ἐξογκῶν σὺ μεγέθει λειψάνων (καθάπερ πρώην 
e , ε ‘ ’ , ε , e 
Apradys ὁ γραμματικὸς ἐποίει, Ομήρου ws 
+ 2 , , » , " τος ἡ 
ἔφασκεν ἐπιλέγων στιχίδιον, εὐμηχάνως αὐτῷ 
\ 4 e 4 ~ , ε 4 
πρὸς Tas ἁρπαγὰς τῶν βρωμάτων ἡρμοσμένον. 
A la , + ‘ , 
Kat φαγέμεν, πιέμεν τε, ἔπειτα δὲ καί τι 
, A “3 ’ 
φέρεσθαι) πέπαυσο" κατάβαλε τὴν ἀλαζονείαν, 
, “ἢ ᾿] , A ~ ee A 
τρισαθλιε, ἢ avayKn σὲ γυμνὸν τῆς οἰκίας 


, 3 ° a , > , 9 a 
θύραζε ἐν ἀκαρεῖ χρόνου ἐκβληθέντα ἐκπεσεῖν. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 179 


LVI. 
THYMBROPHAGUS TO CYPELLISTES. 


You are puffed up with pride for no 
reason at all, and swagger about full of 
insolence, like Pythocles in the proverb, 
and yet you carry off your share of 
breakfast. Give up filling your basket 
every day with fragments, like Harpades 
the Grammarian, who quoted a _ verse 
from Homer, which was singularly ap- 
plicable to his own fondness for carrying 
off food: ‘‘To eat and drink, and then 
carry something away.” Wretch, have 
done with your insolence, or, in a twink- 
ling, we shall be obliged to kick you 
naked out of doors. | 


180 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOX 


LVII. 
Οἰνόλαλος ἸΠοτηριοφλυάρῳ. 


" ο , 9 , ° , 4 
Οὐκ εἰς δέον οἰνωμένος ἐσκωψάμην Tov 
, A ’ , 9 » , 
τροφέα Tov νεανίσκου Ζώπυρον. ’EKE ἐκείνου 
‘ + a ‘ oF es ι 
yap ἴσως διαβολῇ τυπεὶς τὰ ὦτα, περὶ 
εν , , , A 
Tas δόσεις κατέστη μικροπρεπέστερος, καὶ 
δωλῷῴ τῷ μέ : Ἐϊωθὰ Ὶ 
φειόω ῳ τῷ μέτρῳ κεχρῆται. ἰωθως γὰρ 
᾿ - e - nw ~ οἵ , 
ἐν ταῖς εορταστικαῖς τῶν ἡμερῶν, ἢ χιτώνιον 
“ἃ , «ἃ 3 ’ + 
ἢ τριβώνιον ἢ ἐφεστρίδα πέμπειν, ἔναγχος 
’ , a 
Κρονίων ἐνσταντων ᾿Ιφικρατίδας μοι veoupyeis 
+ ~ , A ' e 4 
ἔπεμψε, τῷ Δρόμωνι δοὺς κομίζειν. “O de 
5" A , 9 , A 4 7 
ἐπὶ ταύταις ἐβρενθύετο, καὶ μισθοὺς τῆς 
, > ] , 9 κ 4 , A 4A 
διακονίας amyre ἐγὼ de δάκνομαι, καὶ τὴν 
“-. “Ἔ “-. 4 9 A ~ 
προπετῆ γλῶτταν διαμασσῶμαι, καὶ ὄψε τῆς 
€ , 5 , ΓΙ Ἵ Ἁ can 
ἁμαρτίας αἰσθάνομαι. Ὅταν γὰρ τὸ ῥεῦμα 
“ ’ ΄- ’ 
τῶν λόγων μὴ καθηγουμένης τῆς διανοίας 
, ’ A “. 
φέρηται, τότε σφάλλεσθαι τὴν γλῶτταν 
5 ᾿ + se 
ἀνάγκη. ᾿Εῤῥωσο. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 180 


LVII. 
OENOLALUS TO POTERIOPHLYARUS. 


Havinc taken too much wine, I 
ridiculed Zopyrus, the young master’s 
tutor. From that time, perhaps from 
listening to accusations against us, he 
has been less liberal, and treats us rather 
stingily. On feast days he used to send 
me a coat, or a cloak, or an upper gar- 
ment; but lately, just before the Sa- 
turnalia, he sent me a pair of new shoes 
by Dromio. The latter gave himself airs 
about it, and asked me to pay him for 
his trouble; but I feel terribly vexed, 
and bite my hasty tongue, and see that — 
I was wrong, now that it is too late; for, 
when words flow without reason to guide 
them, the tongue is bound to make mis- 
takes. Farewell. 


181 AAKISPONOY PHTOPOZ 


LVIII. 
᾿Αλοκύμινος Φιλογαρελαίῳ. 


salt ~ , ΄- 
Οὐδὲν προτιμῶ σου, κἂν ἀπειλῇς Ψψιθυ- 
. re | a, κ , SY + 
ριεῖν κατ᾽ ἐμοῦ, καὶ καττύῃς διαβολὰς ayer- 
-“ «ς ee ἃ κ A ~ « ‘ 
vets. ᾿Απλοϊκὸς yap καὶ γενναῖος ὁ Μαλιεὺς 
, « ’ ε a 4 nw 4 
στρατιώτης ὁ βόσκων ἡμᾶς. Ta νῦν δὲ 
“- A ~ Ὁ ’ n~ cr 
ταῦτα καὶ τοσοῦτον ἀπέχει τοῦ ζηλοτυπεῖν 
4A € , e , 7 e , 9 ἰδ 
Tas eTalpas, ὡς πρώην λόγου ῥυέντος avTH 
" 4 ~ , A , 
ἐπὶ TOU συμποσίου, πολλὴν κατέχεε βλασφη- 
, ~ 4 ~ e , + 
μίαν τῶν τὰ τοιαῦτα ὑπομενόντων. ”~EXeyer 
Α - 9 , " , 7, 
yap γαμεταῖς επικλήροις οἰκουρίας πρέπειν 
4 ‘ A ’ 4 «ς ’ Α ΄- 
καὶ τὸν σεμνὸν βίον: τὰς ἑταίρας δὲ δεῖν 
"= ’ 9 Ἁ Α a ’ aA 
εἶναι πάντων avadaveoy, καὶ πᾶσιν ἐκκεῖσθαι 
a , δ Or , a 
τοῖς βουλομένοι. “Ovrep οὖν τρόπον τοῖς 
a 4A π΄ , » , 
λουτροῖς καὶ τοῖς σκεύεσι κοινοῖς κεχρήμεθα, 


4 . Pe. ζυ - eo 4 -“ 9 ~ 
καν €VOS εἶναι δοκεῖ, OUT@M καὶ ταῖς εἰς TOVTOV 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 181 


LVIII. 
ALOCYMINUS TO PHILOGARELAEUS. 


I pon’T mind you in the least, al- 
though you threaten to whisper about 
me, and patch up disgraceful accusations 
against me. For the Malian soldier, who 
keeps me in food, is a simple and honour- 
able man. Far from being jealous in the 
matter of women, only lately, when his 
tongue began to wag freely at table, he 
heaped abuse upon those who allow 
themselves to be jealous. He said that 
the duty of married women was to look 
after their household affairs and to lead 
a chaste life; but that courtesans ought 
to be looked upon as common property 
for all who wanted them. Just as we 
use the baths and their appliances in 
common, even though they are supposed 
to belong to one person, so is it with 
women who have registered themselves 


182 AAKISPONOY PHTOPOZ 


ἀπογραψαμέναις τὸν βίον. Hidas οὖν τη- 
νάλλως τὴν διαβολήν σον χωρήσουσαν, οὐ 
, > \ \ » ε e κι \ 
τρέμω ἐνδακὼν TO χεῖλος, ὡς Of TOV σιγηλον 
“ A , , 
Hpw παριόντες, μὴ κακόν τι προσλαβωμαι" 
᾿] , 9 “ 3 ~ , “σι “-- 
οὐ γὰρ ἐστι τῶν ᾿Αττικῶν τούτων εἷς τῶν 
, , 5 3 φ. « , 4 
χαύνων μειρακίων, ἀλλ᾽ ἀνήρ ὁπλομάχος καὶ 
ἀρήϊος, παρ᾽ ᾧ κολακεία καὶ διαβολῆς τρόπος 
ἔῤῥει. ᾿Ανάγκη δὲ τὸν μὴ διαβολὰς προσιέ- 


- , 
μενον τοῖς διαβάλλουσιν ἀπεχθάνεσθαι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 182 


courtesans. Therefore, since I know that 
your accusations will be fruitless, I do 
not tremble and bite my lip, like 
those who pass by the silent hero, for 
fear that some harm may come to me; 
for this man is not one of those puffed- 
up Athenian youths, but a gallant soldier, 
on whom flattery and slander are lost— 
and he who does not open. his ears to 
slander is bound to be hated by the 
slanderers. 


183 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


| Ὁ ὦ 
Λιμέντερος ᾿ΑἈμασήτῳ. 


ἮΝ “a Ν ’ A \ 4 
Ilap’ ἕνα τῶν τὰ πινάκια παρὰ τὸ ’lak- 
a / ‘ ‘ ’ 
χεῖον προτιθέντων, καὶ τοὺς ὀνείρους ὑπο- 
; , A 
κρίνεσθαι ὑπισχνουμένων βούλομαι ἐλθὼν, 
‘ , , \ Cd 5 , > 
τὰς δύο ταύτας δραχμὰς, ds οἷσθὰα pe ev 
“ + A ‘ - 
χεροῖν ἔχοντα, καταβαλὼν, τὴν φανεῖσαν 
x b) ‘ ε ? 
ὄψιν μοι κατὰ τοὺς ὕπνους διηγήσασθαι. 
9 x ‘ Ἁ Ν A ¢ , ᾿] 
Οὐ χεῖρον δὲ καὶ πρὸς σὲ ὡς φίλον ἀνα- 
, A A “- A , , 
θέσθαι τὸ καινὸν τοῦτο καὶ πέρα Tans 
, , ὕ 
πίστεως φάσμαι ᾿Εδόκουν γὰρ κατ᾽ ὄναρ 
4 > , A ‘ 
εὐπρεπὴς εἶναι νεανίσκος, Kal οὐχ ὁ τυχὼν, 
“ e 4 « t 
ἀλλ᾽ ἐκεῖνος (εἶναι) ὁ ᾿Ιλιεὺς ὁ περίψυκτος 
4 , ς ΄“ Ἁ “- 
καὶ περικάλλιστος, ὁ τοῦ Tpwos παῖς La- 
t ᾿ , 7 ‘ , 
νυμήδης: καὶ καλαύροπα ἔχειν καὶ σύριγγα, 
A , [ / ‘ Ἁ 
καὶ Tapa Φρυγίῳ στέφειν τὴν κεφαλήν, ποι- 
, 4 iy ‘ A ΝΜ ve , 
paivev Te, Kat εἶναι κατὰ τὴν Ἴδην: ἐξαίφνης 
A 9 , ‘ , 
δὲ ἐπιπτάντα μοι γαμψώνυχα καὶ μέγαν 


ἀετὸν, γοργὸν τὸ βλέμμα, καὶ ἀγκυλοχείλην 
ὙΟΡΎ Y Xx 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 1853 


LIX. 
LIMENTERUS TO AMASETUS. 


I INTEND to go to one of those people 
who hang out placards at the temple of 
Bacchus, and profess to interpret dreams. 
I will pay him the two drachmas which 
you know I have in hand, and give him 
an account of the vision which appeared 
to me in my sleep, to see if he can ex- 
plain it. But it will not be out of place 
to communicate to you also, as a friend, 
my strange and incredible vision. I 
thought I was a handsome young man, 
no ordinary person, but Ganymede, the 
son of Tros, the beloved and beautiful 
boy of Ilium. I had a shepherd’s crook 
and a pipe; my head was encircled with 
a Phrygian tiara, and I was tending a 
flock of sheep on Mount Ida. Suddenly, 
a large eagle, with crooked talons. and 
bent beak, and a savage look, flew 


184 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


x , ’ , mae ee 
TO στόμα, KovpicavTa με τοῖς ὄνυξιν, ad 
“Ὁ 9 , ’ , ς᾽ ‘ 
οὗπερ ἐκαθήμην πέτρου μετεωρίζειν εἰς τὸν 
77 A ͵ a ° ’ ’ 
ἀέρα, καὶ πελάζειν τοῖς οὐρανίοις τόποις 
f > , , 
ἐπειγόμενον. εἶτα μέλλοντα τότε VWavew 
“ “ “" e Ὁ 9. lol ~ 
τῶν πυλῶν, αἷς αἱ “Opa ἐφεστᾶσι, κεραυνῷ 
, ~ A Ἁ aS ’ , Ἁ 
βληθέντα πεσεῖν: καὶ τὸν ὄρνιν οὐκέτι τὸν 
A \ oA ς \ A A 
διοπετῆῇ τὸν μέγαν εἶναι ἀετὸν, γῦπα δὲ, 
\ 4 ’ 2 4 "ΗΝ a εἴ > A 
πικρὸν odwdoTa, ἐμὲ δὲ τοῦτον, ὃς εἰμὶ, 
, A , > “ “ A 
Λιμέντερον, γυμνὸν πάσης ἐσθῆτος, οἷα πρὸς 
Ν «ἷ Ε] , 5 
λουτρὸν ἢ παλαίστραν ηὐτρεπισμένον. *Ex- 
κ > Β 2 4 2 4 , , 
ταραχθεὶς οὖν, ὡς εἰκὸς, ἐπὶ τοσούτῳ TTW- 
9 ’; Α Ἁ A , 
ματι, ἐξηγειρόμην, καὶ πρὸς τὸ παράδοξον 
~ + ᾿] ~ A , “ ’ 
τῆς ὄψεως ἀγωνιῶ, καὶ δέομαι, οἷον φέρει 
A ΕΣ - A ΄“ “- ᾿] , 
TO ὄναρ, μαθεῖν παρὰ τῶν τοιαῦτα ἀκριβούν- 
᾿] , ° “A 447 4 A 
των, εἰ μελλοι Tis ἀπλανῶς εἰδέναι, καὶ εἰδὼς 


ἀληθίζεσθαι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 184 


towards me, lifted me up in his claws 
from the rock on which I was sitting, 
and flew away with me into the air up 
to heaven: when I was close to the 
gates, guarded by the Hours, I fell, 
smitten by a thunderbolt; and methought 
the bird was no longer the mighty eagle, 
swooping down from the clouds, but a 
vulture, stinking foully, and I was the 
same Limenterus as I am now, without 
any clothes on, as if I had been getting 
ready for the bath or the wrestling- 
ground. Greatly shaken, as was natural, 
by such a fall, I awoke. I am still 
troubled by the strange vision} and I 
want to find out from those who are ex- 
perienced in such things what is the 
meaning of my dream, if anyone really 
knows for certain, and is willing to tell 
me the truth. 


24 


185 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


LX, 
Χασκοβούκης ‘Yavotparé fw. 


ΕΣ “" . ‘ ’ 4 
Οὐκ ἔτι εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὴν Κόρινθον" ἔγνων 
4 - 4 , ~ = 
yap ev βραχεῖ τὴν βδελυρίαν τῶν ἐκεῖσε 
’ ‘ 4 “ , 9 , 
πλουσίων καὶ τὴν τῶν πενήτων ἀθλιότητα. 
ε ‘ ᾽ , A 4 χω 
ὡς yap ἐλούσαντο of πολλοί, καὶ μεσοῦσα 
ε , Oy , 9 “ A 3 - 
ἡμέρα ἦν, στωμύλους ἐθεασάμην καὶ εὐφνεῖς 
9 A Α 9 ἡ 9 A 4 s 
νεανίσκους, OU περὶ τὰς οἰκίας, ἀλλα περὶ TO 
, e , 4A ς. ,ὔ ~ 
Kpavetov εἱλουμένους, καὶ ov μάλιστα ταῖς 
° 4 A 9 , +S % 
ἀρτοπώλισι Kal ὁπωροκαπήλοις ἔθος ἀνα- 
, ΩΝ 4 + 
στρέφειν. ᾿Ενταυθοῖ yap εἰς τοὔδαφος ἐπι- 
“ , e A Ἁ , ° τ ε 
κύπτοντες, ὁ μὲν φλοιοὺς θέρμων ἀνῃρεῖτο, ὁ 
ς 4 ΄“ , 3 
δὲ ἔλυτρα τῶν καρύων ἐπολυπραγμόνει, μή 
“ ᾽ ’ 9 , , 
που τι τῶν ἐδωδίμων ἀπομείναν διέλαθεν, ὁ 
4 A “A ἈΝ , - 
δὲ τῶν ῥοιῶν τὰ περικαρπια, ἃ σίδια ἡμῖν 
τοῖς ᾿Αττικοῖς προσαγορεύειν ἔθος, ἀπέγλυφε 
πὶ + y+ “~ ’ Ε , 
τοῖς ὄνυξιν, εἴ που TL τῶν KOKKwY ἐπιδράξασθαι 


’ Α 4 4 9 ~ Ε 9 
δυνηθείη: οἱ δὲ καὶ τὰ ἐκ τῶν ἄρτων ἀπο- 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 185 


LX. 
CHASCOBUCES TO HYPNOTRAPEZUS. 


I HAVE not been to Corinth again; 
for I soon discovered the disgusting man- 
ners of its rich men, and the misery of its 
poor. After most of them had been to 
the bath, when it was midday, I saw 
some talkative and comely young men, 
who were sauntering, not round the 
houses, but in the neighbourhood of the 
Craneium, where the bakers’ and fruit- 
erers’ shops are. With their eyes bent 
upon the ground, one picked up bean- 
pods, another carefully examined nut- 
shells, to see if any of the kernel had 
been left in them accidentally, while 
another peeled off with his nails pome- 
granate-skins (which we Athenians call 
Sidia), to see if he could lay hands on 
any of the seeds; while others picked 
up pieces of bread, which had fallen on 

24—2 


186 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


, ‘ 0 + , 
πίπτοντα πρὸς πολλῶν ἤδη πεπατημένα 
" ’ ΕΣ “ 4 ~ 
avanéyovtes, ἔκαπτον. Τοιαῦτα τὰ τῆς 

4 - 
Πελοποννήσου προπύλαια: καὶ ἡ δυοῖν θα- 

/ / , A 
λάσσαιν ἐν μέσῳ κειμένη πόλις χαρίεσσα μὲν 

A Ἁ 3 bad + , 
ἰδεῖν, καὶ ἀμφιλαῴως ἔχουσα τρυφημάτων, 

A 4 7 oe ° , A ° 
τοὺς δὲ οἰκήτορας ἀχαρίστους Kal ἀνεπα- 

“ , ’ A A 

φροδίτους κεκτημένη" καίτοι ye pact τὴν 
, 9 3 ~ 4 ° 

᾿Αφροδίτην ex Κυθήρων ἀνασχοῦσαν τὴν axpo- 

, 5 , > . » ς ‘ 
κόρινθον ἀσπάσασθαι: εἰ μὴ apa τοῖς μὲν 

, , ~ “ 4 > 
γυναίοις ᾿Αφροδίτη πολιοῦχος, τοῖς δὲ ἀν- 


δράσιν ὁ Λιμὸς καθίδρυται. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 186 


the ground and been trodden underfoot, 
and greedily gulped them down. Such 
is the entrance to Peloponnesus. The 
city lying between the two seas is cer- 
tainly agreeable to look at and abundantly 
furnished with luxuries, but its inhabit- 
ants are disagreeable and unamiable; and 
yet they say that Venus, when she rose 
from the sea near Cythera, saluted the 
citadel of Corinth. Perhaps Venus is the 
protecting goddess of the women only, 
and Famine is the tutelary god of the 
men. 


187, AAKISPONOZY PHTOPOZ 


LXI. 
Ὑδροσφράντης Μεριδᾷ. 


ς , of ε , U ev 
Ἡράκλεις, ὅσα ὑπέστην πράγματα, ῥύμ- 
ματι καὶ νίτρῳ Χαλαστραίῳ χθιζινοῦ ζωμοῦ 
τοῦ μοὶ περιχυθέντος τὴν γλισχρότητα ἀπο- 
καθαίρων. Kat οὐχ οὕτω με ἔδακεν ἡ ὕβρις, 
ef \ ’ ° , ε , 5 4 A 
ὅσον τὸ παρ᾽ ἀξίαν ὑπομένει. ᾿Εγὼ μὲν 
‘ ? ’ ελ A ; a 
yap AvOeuiwvos υἱὸς τοῦ πλουσιωτάτου τῶν 
᾿Αθήνῃσι, καὶ ᾿Αξιοθέας τῆς κατὰ γένος ἐκ 
Μεγακλέους ὁρμωμένης: ὁ δὲ ταῦθ᾽ ἡμᾶς 
9. , 4 4 . , , | 4 
ἐργαζόμενος, πατρὸς μὲν ἀσήμου, μητρὸς δὲ 
βαρβάρου, Σκυθίδος οἶμαι ἡ Κολχίδος ἐν 
νεομηνίᾳ ἐωνημένης, οὕτω γάρ μοι τῶν γνω- 
ρίμων τινὲς διηγήσαντο. ᾿Αλλ᾽ ἐγὼ μὲν ἐν 
rn ΄ , 4 , “5 ‘ 
ταπεινῷ τῷ σχήματι THY πατρῴαν ἀποβαλὼν 
οὐσίαν, ἀγαπῶ τῇ γαστρὶ τὴν ἀναγκαίαν 


πλησμονὴν ἐκπορίζων. Δοσιάδης δὲ, ὦ θεοὶ, 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON «187 


LXI. 
HYDROSPHRANTES TO MERIDAS. 


O HERcuLEs, what a job I have had 
to wash off the sticky soup, which was 
thrown over me yesterday, with soap and 
Chalastraean nitre! It was not so much 
the insult itself that annoyed me as that 
it was undignified. I am the son of An- 
themion, one of the richest men in 
Athens; my mother Axiothea is descended 
from Megacles; while the father of the 
man who treated me like this is some 
low fellow, and his mother a barbarian, 
a Scythian or Colchian slave, bought at 
the monthly fair: at least, some of my 
acquaintances have told me so. And 
now I, having lost all the fortune that 
my father left me, in humble guise am 
content if I can procure enough to satisfy 
the cravings of my belly. In the mean- 
time, O ye gods! Dosiades harangues the 


188 ΑΛΚΙΦΡΟΝῸΣ PHTOPOD 


τὴν Τ]νύκα καταλαμβάνει δημηγορῶν, καὶ τοῖς 
? ς ’ “ ᾿ A ‘ 
ev ᾿Ηλιαίᾳ καταριθμεῖται δικάζουσι, καὶ τὰς 
eee a4 “ , 9 κ ’ 
ἥνιας ἔχει τοῦ δήμου, map ᾧ Μιλτιάδης 
»"ο»7 ε Ἀ 3 “~ , > ’ 
εδεδετο, ὁ TO ἐν Μαραθῶνι τρόπαιον ἐγείρας, 
A 2-9 , ε , > , 

καὶ ὁ ᾿Αριστείδης ὁ δίκαιος ἐξωστρακίζετο. 
Λυπεῖ dé με οὐχ ἥκιστα πρὸς τοῖς ἄλλοις 
καὶ ἡ τῆς προσηγορίας ἀποβολή" οἱ μὲν γὰρ 
πατέρες IloAvBiov με ἔθεντο καλεῖσθαι: ἡ 
τύχη δὲ ἀμείψασα τοὔνομα “Ὑδροσφράντην 
πρὸς τῶν ὁμοτέχνων ἠνάγκασε προσαγορεύ- 
εσθαι. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 188 


people from the Pnyx, is one of the 
judges of the Heliaea, and guides that 
people, who imprisoned Miltiades, in 
whose honour the trophy at Marathon 
was set up, and ostracised Aristides the 
Just. But what most grieves me is the 
loss of my name: my parents called me 
Polybius; but Fortune has changed it, 
and forced me to take the name of Hy- 
drosphrantes! amongst those of my pro- 
fession. 
1 Water-smeller. 


189 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


LXII. 
Χιδρολέπισος Karvpocdparyry. 


, x . 7 ᾽ > 
"Hricraco τὴν αἰτίαν, ἐφ᾽ ἣ με διεσίλ- 
“ - 4 “Φ 
λαινον αἱ γυναῖκες" τελευταῖον δὲ ἡ γραῦς ἡ 
> , "5 Lal ° 9 
δούλη ἐλοιδορήσατό μοι, εἰποῦσα, ἀλλ᾽ ἐκκο- 
’ id x 3 A U 
ρηθείης, ὅτι ἄκαιρος εἶ καὶ λάλος. Μυστήριον 
53 9 -“ , « - “ +] 
ἐν αὐταῖς στρέφεται ταῖν θεαῖν ταῖν ᾿Ελευ- 
id 9 ’ A ΄“ 
σινίαιν ἀσφαλέστερον, καὶ βούλονται ἡμᾶς 
, a A 9.959 a 4 4 " ’ 
ἀγνοεῖν τοὺς εἰδότας, ἢ καὶ οἴονται ἀκηκοότας 
- ‘ A > ‘ a 
οὔπω πεπεῖσθαι. ᾿Εγὼ de ofda τὸ δρᾶμα, 
\ @ 1] 4 ‘ ~ “ , 
καὶ ὅσον οὐκ εἰς μακρὰν κατερῶ τῷ δεσπότῃ; 
3 » , ’ - a ~ 
ov yap βούλομαι χείρων φανῆναι τῶν κυνῶν 
εἴ on , se ΜῈ " , 

ol τῶν τρεφόντων προὕλακτοῦσι Kal κήδονται. 
‘ a A 9 7? AS - 
Μοιχὸς πολιορκεῖ τὴν οἰκίαν 6 ᾿Ηλεῖος νεα- 
ἤ ε a ~ 3 , , A 
νίσκος, ὁ εἷς τῶν ᾿Ολυμπιασι βασκάνων" Kal 

4 , , e , ite 
Tapa τούτου γραμματίδια ὁσημέραι φοιτᾷ 
, A A A “ , 
δίθυρα πρὸς τὴν γαμετὴν τοῦ τρέφοντος 


CAL es. A td e , ᾿ A 
nas, Kal στεῴφανοι ἡμιμάραντοι Kat μῆλα 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 189 


EXT. 
CHIDROLEPISUS TO CAPYROSPHRANTES. 


You know the reason why the women 
jeered at me. An old slave lately abused 
me, telling me to go to the devil for a 
troublesome chatterbox. There is a secret 
amongst them which they keep more care- 
fully than the Eleusinian mysteries, and 
they try to conceal it from us, who know 
all about it, or else think that, although 
we have heard of it, we do not believe 
it. But I know what is going on, and I 
intend presently to tell my master; for 
I do not want to show myself less grate- 
ful than the dogs, which bark in defence 
of those who feed and take care of them. 
An adulterer is laying siege to the house- 
hold—a young man from Elis, one of the 
Olympian fascinators; he sends neatly- 
folded notes every day to our master’s 
wife, together with faded bouquets and 


190  AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOX 


9 Be , “ 
ἀποδεδηγμένα. Aé δὲ ἀλάστορες αὗται θερα- 
’ , ; on, eee , “A el 
παινίδες συνίσασι, καὶ ἡ ἐπικήδειος γραῦς, ἣν 
+ 4 € ‘ \ ae ἢ a 
Ἑμπουσαν ἅπαντες of κατὰ τὴν οἰκίαν καλεῖν 
φι 93 ~ ’ ΄- A , 
εἰώθασιν, ἐκ τοῦ πάντα ποιεῖν καὶ βιάζεσθαι. 
3 ‘ ‘ ᾽ ἢ “ 
Eyw δὲ οὐκ ἔσθ᾽ ὅπως σιγήσομαι, βούλομαι 
A 3 ‘ , A 
yap ἐμαυτὸν ov παράσιτον, ἀλλὰ φίλον ἐπι- 
a A Ὁ ~ ~ κι] A 
δεῖξαι: καὶ ἄλλως διψῶ τῆς KaT αὐτῶν τιμω- 
’ “" 4 3 ~ 5 ‘4 
ρίας. Oida yap, οἶδα, εἰ ταῦτα εἰς φανερὸν 
> ’ 4 
axOein, αἱ μὲν θεραπαινίδες δεδήσονται, ὁ 
\ \ 3 a“ ε , \ Φ 
μοιχὸς δὲ ἀπολεῖται ῥαῴφανοις τὴν ἕδραν 
’ ες Ν A ‘ , 4 5 , 
βεβυσμένος, ἡ μιαρὰ δὲ γυνὴ τίσει THY ἀξίαν 
~ " ’ ’ Ἁ ’ ΄ 
τῆς ἀκολασίας δίκην, εἰ μὴ Ἰ]ολυνάγρου τοῦ 
΄“΄ , τ » 4 ~ “ 
κυρτοῦ κακώτερος ἐστι τὰ τοιαῦτα Λυσικλῆς" 
" - A ’ὔ 4 ΄“ ~ 5 4 = 
ἐκεῖνος γὰρ λύτρα Tapa τῶν μοιχῶν ἐπὶ TH 
“ , 9 , ~ Ul 
γαμετῇ πραττόμενος ἀθώους τῆς τιμωρίας 


ἠφίει. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 190 


half-eaten apples. These accursed ser- 
vants are in the plot, as well as the old 
woman, with one foot in the grave, whom 
the rest call Empusa, because she is 
ready to do and suffer anything. I can 
hold my tongue no longer; I want to 
show myself a friend, not a_ parasite ; 
besides, I thirst to have my revenge upon 
them. For I am certain, if this affair 
be brought to light, the servants will be 
put in the stocks, and the adulterer will 
be put to death, with a radish stuffed up 
his backside. And the abandoned wife 
shall pay the just penalty of her wanton- 
ness, unless Lysicles is more stupid in 
such matters than the hunchback Poly- 
agrus, who, after exacting compensation 
in money from his wife’s lovers, let them 
go without further punishment. 


191 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOD 


LXITI. 
Φιλομάγειρος Πινακοσπόγγῳ. 


> A “ - 
Oia βουλεύονται καὶ διανοοῦνται αἱ θεοῖς 
> A , “ lo , 
ἐχθραὶ λαικαστρια. Αὗται τῇ κεκτημένῃ 
Uy 4 9 : , 9 at « 
συμπραττουσι: καὶ olde’ τούτων οὐδὲν ὁ 
, 4 , A ‘ , 
Padpias. Μηνὶ πέμπτῳ μετὰ τοὺς γάμους 
’ nee ‘ , , 3, φος a 
τέτοκεν αὐτῷ TO γύναιον παιδίον appev* τοῦτο 
4 ~ , , \ \ 
μετὰ τῶν σπαργάνων, δέραια τινὰ Kal γνω- 
, ca , stig 
ρίσματα περιδεῖσαι, ἔδωκαν ᾿Ασφαλίωνι τῷ 
, , 2 \ 4 ᾽ , ps 
συργάστορι κομίζειν ἐπὶ τὰς ἀκρωρείας τῆς 
, ε oe A ld A aS 
IlapyyBos. “Huas δὲ τέως μὲν ἀνάγκη 
, Ἁ Ἁ mah ‘ \ Ἁ 
κρύπτειν τὸ κακὸν, καὶ πρὸς τὸ παρὸν 
’ 4 , 3 “. ~ , 
σιγώην: ayn δὲ ἐστι τοῦ θυμοῦ τροφή. 
‘ , ὗ κ᾿ 
πειδαν δέ τι κἂν βραχὺ λυπήσωσι, κόλακα 
A U 9 ’ ‘ Ν A 
kat παράσιτον ὀνειδίζουσαι, καὶ τὰς ἄλλας, 
a 77 4 3 ἤ » ‘ 
ἃς εἰώθασιν, ὕβρεις ἐπιφέρουσαι, εἴσεται τὸ 


γεγονὸς ὁ Φαιδρίας. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON IgI 


LXIII. 
PHILOMAGEIRUS TO PINACOSPONGUS. 


Wuart tricks these accursed harlots 
are always devising! They are in league 
with my mistress, and Phaedrias knows 
nothing of what is going on. Five months 
after marriage, the woman had a child— 
a boy; they wrapped him in his swad- 
dling-clothes, fastened a necklace and some 
tokens, by which he might be afterwards 
recognised, round his neck, and gave him 
to Asphalion, one of the labourers, to 
carry to the summit of Mount Parnes, 
and leave him there. In the meanwhile, 
we were obliged to keep the cruel deed a 
secret, and I would keep silence now, but 
silence is the food of anger. If they 
annoy me ever so little, reproaching me 
for a flatterer and parasite, and heaping 
the usual insults upon me, Phaedrias 
shall be informed of what has taken 
place. 


192 AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOD 


LXIV. 
Tovpdocvvayos ᾿Εφαλλοκύθρᾳ. 


e A “ 5. ,0 8 9 ’ Ae 9 , 
O μὲν Κρίτων ὑπ᾽ ἀνοίας καὶ ἀρχαιότητος 
, Ἁ ‘ , ἴω " 
τρόπου τὸν υἱὸν εἰς φιλοσόφου φοιτᾶν ἐπέ- 
Ἁ ΕῚ ‘ , 4A ° ~ 
τρεψε" Tov αὐστηρὸν πρεσβύτην καὶ ἀμειδῆ 
Ἁ 9 ΄- , 9 ε , ~ 
τὸν ἐκ τῆς ΠΟοικίλης ἐξ ἁπάντων τῶν φιλο- 
’ “ ~ ‘ “" 
σόφων καθηγεῖσθαι τοῦ παιδὸς ἀξιώτερον 
ς , ς ΠῚ : | ites , A 
ἡγησάμενος, ὡς ἂν παρ᾽ αὐτῷ λόγων τινὰς 
A 3 ‘ “3 ‘ A “ , 
σκινδαλμοὺς ἐκμαθὼν, ἐριστικὸς καὶ ἀγκύλος 
4 ~ ὔ ε A a ‘ 
τὴν γλῶσσαν γένητα. Οὐ δὲ παῖς ἐς τὸ 
5) , 9 ’ \ r 
ἀκριβέστατον ἐξεμάξατο τὸν διδάσκαλον: ov 
’ Ν ’ ’ 4 " Ἁ 
πρότερον γὰρ λόγων γίνεσθαι μαθητής, ἀλλὰ 
4A nw , 4A ~ 3 ΄“- ᾽ , 
καὶ τοῦ βίου καὶ τῆς ἀγωγῆς ἐσπούδασε. 
, \ A , £4 ε , 
Θεασάμενος yap Tov διδάσκαλον τῇ ἡμέρᾳ 
\ ‘ ‘ A ΄“ 
σεμνὸν καὶ σκυθρωπὸν καὶ τοῖς νέοις ἐπι- 
“ , ‘ / 
τιμῶντα, νύκτωρ δὲ περικαλύπτοντα τὴν 
λὴ β 4 XN A , 
κεφαλήν τριβωνίῳ καὶ περὶ χαμαιτυπίας 
“ ’ 5 3 ρὸν A , 
εἰλούμενον, ἐζήλωσεν ἐν καλῷ: Kal πέμπτην 


ταύτην ἡμέραν εἰς ἔρωτα ᾿Ακαλανθίδος τῆς 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 192 


LXIV. 
TURDOSYNAGUS TO EPHALLOCYTHRAS. 


Crito has been so foolish and such a 
dotard as to allow his son to go to a 
philosopher’s school; he has sent him to 
that austere and gloomy old Stoic, whom 
he thinks the fittest instructor for the youth, 
that he may learn from him the art of 
splitting straws, and turn out disputatious 
and double-tonguéd. The lad has copied 
his instructor most faithfully ; he has paid 
more attention to imitating his life and 
manners than to learning his doctrines. 
Seeing that his master, during the day, 
was solemn and severe and always lectur- 
ing the young men, while at night he 
covered his head with his cloak and 
haunted the brothels, he has admirably 
copied his model; and for the last four 
days he has been madly in love with 
Acalanthis of the Ceramicus. She is a 

25 


193. AAKI®PONOD PHTOPOS 


~ , "5 
ἐκ Κεραμεικοῦ κατολισθήσας φλέγεται. Ad- 
A “ Ἁ A A 7 “A ε 
τὴ δὲ ἐπιεικῶς ἔχει πρὸς ἐμὲ, καὶ ἐρᾶν ὁμο- 
- a , 4 9 , 3 
oye? τῷ μειρακίῳ δὲ ἐπανατείνεται ἤσθη- 
, ’ ’ Α ᾿] ’ ‘ 
μένη πόθῳ τυφόμενον, καὶ οὐ πρότερον, φησὶν, 

A A 9 A ~ 
ἐπιδώσει ἑαυτὴν, πρὶν ἄν ἐγὼ τοῦτο ἐπι- 
, A ‘ , ~ A - 
τρέψω: ἐμὲ γὰρ κύριον τοῦ τὰ τοιαῦτα 

, ? , Ν a Om A 
προστάττειν ἐποιήσατο. IloAAa καὶ ἀγαθὰ 
/ ? , - , 
Soins, ᾿Αφροδίτη πάνδημε, τῇ φιλτάτῃ γυ- 
Ud ς U \ > e , 
ναικί' €Talpou yap, οὐχ ἑταίρας ἔργον διεπρά- 
9 > , ‘ , - 
ξατο. Ἔξ ἐκείνου yap θεραπεύομαι λιπαρῶς 
+ 3 ’ A 
ἄλλοτε ἄλλαις dwpodpopias: Kat ἤν μοι 
e 7? Lal + oof , 
ῥεύσειεν TOU χρόνου προϊόντος δαψιλέστερον, 
\ 7, , ~ 9 , 
οὐδὲν κωλύσει με, τούτου γαμοῦντος ἐπίκλη- 
- 9 ΄ 
ρον γυναῖκα, ἐν γαμετῆς σχήματι τὴν ᾿Ακα- 
’ , κ] - « A ~ 
AavOida λυσάμενον ἀναλαβεῖν. Ἢ yap τοῦ 
~ ’ Ἁ “ “ “ 
ζῆν αἰτία κοινωνὸς τοῦ ζῆν δικαίως ἂν κατα- 
’ 
σταίη. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 193 


friend of mine, and professes to love me; 
she knows that the youth is mad with 
desire, but refuses to yield to him, and 
declares that he shall not enjoy her 
favours until I give my consent to it, 
for she has left the decision to me. 
O Venus, goddess of sensual love, bestow 
every blessing upon this excellent woman; 
she has behaved more like a friend than 
a prostitute! Since that time I have 
been loaded with handsome presents; if 
they pour in upon me even more abun- 
dantly, as time goes on, nothing shall 
prevent me from ransoming her from her 
master and making her my lawful wife. 
For she to whom I owe my support has 
every right to share my comforts. 


25—2 


194 AAKI®PONOXY PHTOPOZ 


LXV. 
Micoyvigos Ῥιγομάχῳ. 


‘ 
, a ς \ ν᾽ , ~ 
Μέγα τοῦτο ἀγαθὸν ἡ ἐξ ᾿Ιστρίας ναῦς, ἡ 
> 4 “ ᾽ ς A Φ Ὁ ’ a 
ἐπὶ TOU χώματος ὁρμῶσα, εἰς ᾿Αθήνας ἧκε, 
, \ ‘ ~ Ν εἴ 
φέρουσα τὸν θαυμαστὸν τοῦτον ἔμπορον, ὃς 
A [ 4 ? ‘ 
τοὺς πλουσίους τοὺς ᾿Αθήνῃσι καὶ peyado- 
, 4A ΄- "5 ’ὔ 
δώρους, κίμβικας καὶ μικροπρεπεῖς ἀπέφηνεν, 
d , ‘ 4 , , vag 
οὕτω κέχυμένως πρὸς Tas δόσεις κέχρηται TH 
, Ἄ ‘ χὰ ; 3 3 
βαλαντίῳ. Οὐ γὰρ ἕνα παράσιτον ἐξ ἄστεος, 
° ἈΝ , « ΄΄ ’ A 9 
ἀλλα πάντας ἡμᾶς μεταπέμψγας, καὶ οὐχ 
δὲ δε Fe , > ‘ \ “ ε ~ Ν 
ἡμᾶς μόνον, ἀλλα καὶ τῶν εταιρῶν τὰς πολυ- 
’ ‘ “~ Ν , 
τελεστέρας, καὶ μουσουργῶν Tas καλλιστεύ- 
‘ A ae. ~ € ~ . te 
oveas, Kal τοὺς ἐπὶ σκηνῆς ἁπαξαπλῶς εἰπεῖν 
ΠΣ 5" ‘ , > ue ‘ A 9 
ἅπαντας, οὐ τὴν πατρῴαν οὐσίαν, τὰ δὲ εκ 
“ , ~ 4 
δικαίων αὐτᾷ ποριζόμενα σπαθᾷ, καὶ ψαλλό- 
‘ , 4 ‘ ‘ 
μενος καὶ καταυλούμενος ἥδεται, καὶ THY δια- 
A - ’ ‘ f 
τριβὴν ποιεῖται χαρίτων καὶ ᾿Αφροδίτης 
A , 9547 + A 4 
γέμουσαν, καὶ ὑβρίζει οὐδέν. "ἔστι de καὶ 
~ ‘ ‘ , 
. ὀφθῆναι κεχαρισμενώτατος, καὶ TO πρόσωπον 


5 ~ 4 ¢ 9 4 9 / + 
αὐτοῦ τὰς ὥρας αὐτὰς ἐνορχουμένας ἔχει; 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 194 


LXV.) 
MISOGNIPHUS TO RHIGOMACHUS. 


THE vessel from Istria, which is an- 
-chored off the pier, has brought great 
good luck. One of its passengers is the 
wonderful merchant, whose lavish open- 
handedness makes the wealthiest and 
most generous of our citizens seem mean 
and niggardly by comparison. He has 
invited not one parasite only from the 
city, but all of us, as well as the most 
expensive courtesans, the most beautiful 
singing-girls, in fact, all who perform in 
public. He is not squandering his patri- 
mony, but all the money he spends has 
been honestly earned by himself. He is 
fond of music, makes his stay in the city 
very agreeable to all, and is never rude 
to anybody. He is very pleasant to look 
at; you would say that his face was the 
dancing-ground of the Hours, and that 


195  AAKIPPONOX PHTOPOZ 


καὶ Thy πειθὼ τῷ στόματι ἐπικαθῆσθαι εἴποις 
ἄν. ἹΠροσπαῖσαί τε γλαφυρὸς καὶ λαλῆσαι 
στωμύλος. Οὕνεκά οἱ γλυκὺ Μοῦσα κατὰ 
στόματος χέε νέκταρ' εἰπεῖν γὰρ οὐ χεῖρον 
κατὰ τοὺς παιδείᾳ σχολάζοντας ἐξ ᾿Αθηνῶν 


ε , " > ὅθ" > , o 
ορμώμενον, εν al οὐδε εἰς τουτῶν αγευστος 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 195 


Persuasion was seated on his lips. His 
wit is refined, his conversation agreeable. 
‘‘The Muse has poured sweet nectar over 
his lips,” in the words of the poet; for 
it does not seem inappropriate for a na- 
tive of Athens to use the language of 
those who have received a liberal educa- 
tion—which is the case with all of us. 


196 AAKI®PPONOY PHTOPOX 


LXVI. 
Γαμοχαίρων Φαγοδαίτῃ. 


. ’ at 9 , « , 
H@eacw οἷα με εἰργάσατο ὁ κατάρατος 
a \ ε \ “εκ , \ δ 
οὗτος κουρεὺς, ὁ πρὸς τῇ ὁδῳ, λέγω de τὸν 
, , 4 , Ἁ , 
ἀδόλεσχον καὶ λάλον, τὸν ᾿Βρεντησίου προ- 
, δ Χ A , ’ 
τιθέμενον ἔσοπτρα, τὸν τοὺς χειροήθεις KO- 
’ \ “ , 
paxas τιθασσεύοντα, τὸν ταῖς μαχαιρίσι κυμ- 
A » 9 , ς 4 
βαλισμὸν εὔρυθμον avaxpovoyvra Os yap 
° ’ ΄“ ‘ , , 
ἀφικόμην ξυριεῖσθαι τὴν γενειάδα βουλό- 
° ’ 54 A 3 e ΄“ 
μενος, ἀσμένως τε ἐδέξατο, καὶ ἐφ᾽ ὑψηλοῦ 
’; , , ‘ . 4 
θρόνου καθίσας, σινδόνα καινὴν ᾿ περιθεὶς, 
, a , , , A ’ ι 
πράως εὖ μάλα κατέφερέ μοι τῶν γναθων τὸ 
Ἀ κι) “ A , ~ ~ 
ξυρὸν, ἀποψιλῶν TO πύκνωμα τῶν τριχῶν. 
? ° a , ΄ > 4 
᾿Αλλ᾽ ἐν αὐτῷ τούτῳ πανοῦργος Hy Kat 
vy ΝΜ \ ΄ 4 , ~ 
σκαιός" ἔλαθε yap τοῦτο Tapa μέρος ποιῶν, 
A Ε A , an ’ o ς 
καὶ οὐ κατὰ πάσης τῆς γνάθου, ὥστε ὑπολει- 
~ ’ wn 4 a an 
φθῆναί μοι πολλαχοῦ μεν δασεῖαν, πολλαχοῦ 
A , A , 9 A A ° saN 
de λείαν τὴν σιαγόνα. Kayo μεν οὐκ etdws 
‘ ’ νι, , A ‘ κ] ‘ 
τὴν πανουργίαν, φχόμην κατὰ τὸ εἰωθος 


9 ° ’ ε ’ A ς 
ἄκλητος εἰς Πασίωνος, οἱ συμποται δε, ὡς 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON το6 


LXVI. 
GAMOCHAERON TO PHAGODAETES. 


You saw how that accursed barber who 
lives by the roadside treated me; I mean 
that chattering gossip, who offers his 
mirrors for sale at Brentesium, who tames 
jackdaws, and plays a kind of tune with 
his razors. When I went to him to get 
shaved, he received me most politely, 
made me sit down in a high chair, and 
put a clean cloth round my neck; then 
he gently drew the razor over my cheeks, 
and took off my thick hairs. But, in 
doing this, he was cunning and mis- 
chievous, for he only half shaved me, 
and left one part of'my face rough, while 
the other was smooth. I, knowing 
nothing of the trick he had played me, 
went as usual to Pasion’s house, with- 
out waiting to be invited. When the 
guests saw me, they nearly killed them- 


197 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOD 


εἶδον, ἐξέθανον τῷ γέλωτι, ἕως ἀγνοοῦντα 
με ἐφ᾽ ὅτω γελῶσιν, εἷς τις εἰς μέσους 
παρελθὼν, τῶν ἀπολειφθεισῶν τριχῶν ἐπι- 
λαβόμενος εἵλκυσεν. "Exeivas μὲν οὖν περι- 
παθῶς κοπίδα λαβὼν ἀπεῤῥίζωσα, ἕτοιμος 
δέ εἰμι ξύλον εὐμέγεθες ἀνελόμενος κατὰ τοῦ 
βρέγματος πατάξαι τὸν ἀλιτήριον. “A γὰρ 
οἱ τρέφοντες παίζουσι, ταῦτα μὴ τρέφων 


ἐτόλμησε. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 197 


selves with laughing. I could not make 
out what had excited their mirth, until 
one of them came forward into the 
middle of the room and caught hold of 
and pulled at the hairs which had been 
left. I took a knife, and, feeling greatly 
annoyed, uprooted them somehow; and 
now I intend to look for a big stick and 
go and break the rascal’s skull. What 
those who keep us do, in order to amuse 
themselves, this fellow had the audacity 
to do, although he has never contributed 
anything to my support. 


198 ΑΛΚΊΙΦΡΟΝΟΣ ΡΗΤΌΡΟΣ 


LXVII. 


Διψοφαπαυσίλυπος Ἰ[λακουντομύωνι. 


, Salt “-. ’ 
Nevpida ἰδὼν κανηφοροῦσαν, παρθένον 
, 4 9 , - a“ 
καλλίπηχυν, καὶ evdaxtvArov, ταῖς βολαῖς 
“ 9. ~ 5" , ΕῚ , A 
τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν ἀστράπτουσαν, εὐμήκη Kat 
+ ae A , 
εὔχρουν, ἧς αἱ παρειαὶ μαρμαίρουσιν, οὕτως 
9 , , ΕΙΣ Ψ ᾽ , 
ἐξεκαύθην εἰς ἔρωτα, ὥστε με ἐπιλαθόμενον 
ae 9 , "47 , ‘ 
οἷός εἶμι, προσδραμόντα ἐθέλειν κύσαι τὸ 
, 4 93 4 , , 
στόμα' ἔπειτα ETL συννοίας γενόμενον, προς- 
, A A - ΕΣ 
φύντα βούλεσθαι τὰ τοῖν ποδοῖν ἴχνη κατα- 
- “ἃ “Δ ~ “5 ; “ ψι. ‘ 
φιλεῖν. ΑἹ al τῆς ayepwxias, νῦν ἐμὲ μὴ 
9 = , \ ’ “ἃ , % 
ἐπιθυμεῖν θέρμων, ἢ κυάμων ἢ ἀθάρας, ἀλλ᾽ 
ev e ‘ ~ 5 7 9 ~ 
οὕτως ὑπερμαζάν, Kal τῶν ἀνεφίκτων Epa. 
, , , ο ᾿] Ἁ 
Καταλεύσατέ με mavTes εἰς ταύτον συνελ- 
’ A «“ ~ a , 4 
θόντες, πρὶν ἢ βριθῆναι τοῖς πόθοις, καὶ 
’ , 9 A « “ἢ 
γενέσθω μοι τύμβος ἐρωτικὸς ὁ τῶν λιθι- 


δίων κολωνός. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 198 


LXVII. 
DIPSOPHAPAUSILYPUS TO PLACYNTOMION. 


WHEN I first saw Neuris, the maiden 
who carried the basket, with her beautiful 
arms and fingers, her eyes flashing glances 
like lightning, her charming figure and 
complexion, and her glistening cheeks, 
I was so inflamed with passion that, 
forgetting who I was, I ran up and 
attempted to kiss her; then, when I came 
to my senses, I was ready to follow her 
and kiss the marks of her footsteps. 
Alas, alas, for my insolent folly! to think 
that I could not be content with lupins, 
beans, and pulse, but, grown wanton 
with high feeding, must needs long for 
what was beyond my reach. Assemble, 
all of you, and stone me to death, before 
I am consumed by my desires, and let 
me have, as a lover’s tomb, a mound of 
pebbles. 


199  AAKI®PONOZ ΡΗΤΌΡΟΣ 


LXVIII. 
Ἡ δύδειπνος ᾿Αριστοκόρακι. 


4 , ~ 2 ‘ 93 “ 4 
Θεοὶ μάκαρες, ἱλήκοιτε καὶ εὐμενεῖς εἴητε. 
> ’ , , ~ , 
Οἷον ἀπέφυγον κίνδυνον, τῶν τρισκαταράτων 
3 ~ , , , 7 > 4 
ἐρανιστῶν λέβητα μοι ζέοντα ὕδατος ἐπιχέαι 
A A ’ a 
βουληθέντων. ᾿Ιδὼν yap πόῤῥωθεν εὐτρεπεῖς 
5 4 ς 
ἀπεπήδησα' οἱ δὲ ἀπροβουλεύτως ἐξέχεον, 
‘ \ Ἁ A μ» 
καὶ τὸ θερμὸν ἐπιῤῥυὲν Βαθύλῳ τῷ οἰνοχο- 
~ 4 ‘ / ~ a 
οὔντι παιδὲ ψιλὸν εἰργάσατο' τῆς κεφαλῆς 
‘ 9 , ‘ / 4 , 9 
γὰρ ἀπεσύρε τὸ δέρμα, καὶ φλυκταίνας ἐπι- 
, 85} , + , > , 
νωτίους ἐξήνθησε. Tis ἄρα μοι διαμόνων ἐπί- 
3 , “ ἢ 
KOUPOS ἐγένετο; μή ποτε οἱ σωτῆρες ἄνακτες, 
, ‘ ~ - 
ὡς Σιμωνίδην τὸν Λεωπρεποῦς τοῦ ἹΚρανωνίου, 


4 A ~ A N ~ 9 
καὶ μὲ τῶν τοῦ πυρὸς κρουνῶν ἐξήρπασαν: 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 199 


LXVIII. 
HEDYDEIPNUS TO ARISTOCORAX. 


O BLESSED gods, be kind and pro- 
pitious! What a danger did I escape, 
when those thrice-accursed clubmen tried 
to throw a kettle of boiling water over 
me! I saw what they were ready to do 
when I was a long way off, and jumped 
out of the way. They poured at random, 
and the boiling contents, falling over 
Bathylus, the lad who was handing the 
wine, completely flayed him; the skin 
has peeled off his head, and his back is 
covered with blisters. Who then of the 
gods was it that protected me? Was it 
the Saviour princes, who preserved me 
from the streams of fire, as in time 
past Simonides the son of Leoprepes at 
the banquet at Cranon? 


200 AAKIPPONOZ PHTOPOZ 


LXIX. 
Τριχινοσάραξ Τλωσσοτραπέζῳ. 


, ’ = - A 
᾿Εξηγόρευσα Μνησιλόχῳ τῷ Παιανιεῖ τὴν 

A ~ » PRE ἢ κε , , 
τῆς γαμετῆς ἀσελγειαν" καὶ ὃς, δέον βασανίσαι 
ἃ ΄“ \ “ Ἃ δ“ ; ‘ 
lepevvay TE TO πράγμα ποικίλως, ὅρκῳ TO 
΄σ΄ e ~ 9 , 3 ΄“ oO 
πᾶν, ὁ χρυσοῦς, ἐπέτρεψεν. ᾿Αγαγοῦσα οὖν 

A A , Ἁ , Ἁ 9 

αὐτὸν ἡ γυνὴ εἰς τὸ Καλλίχορον τὸ ἐν ᾿Ελευ- 
- ’ . ° , A ‘J , I 
σῖνι φρέαρ; ἀπωμόσατο, καὶ ἀπελύσατο THY 
eed A e A ° / , 8 
αἰτίαν. Kat ὁ μὲν ἀμηγέπη πέπεισται, καὶ 
\ ‘ n'y Σ 2) ὅν 4 A ‘ ‘ 
τὴν ὑποψίαν ἀπέβαλεν" ἐγὼ δὲ τὴν φλυαρὸν 
~ ς > , “ 
γλῶτταν ἀποτέμνειν ὀστράκῳ Τενεδίῳ τοῖς 


’ Ψ , 9 
βουλομένοις ἕτοιμός εἶμι παρέχειν. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 200 


ἘΧΙΝ, 
TRICHINOSARAX ΤῸ GLOSSOTRAPEZUS. 


I HAVE informed Mnesilochus of 
Paeania of his wife’s wantonness; and 
he, when he ought to have thoroughly 
sifted and investigated the matter in 
various ways, like the precious fool that 
he is, left it to his wife’s oath. The 
woman led him to the well of Callichorum 
at Eleusis, swore she was innocent, and 
cleared herself. He was somehow or 
other convinced, and has abandoned all 
suspicion; and I am ready to let anyone 
who pleases cut out my chattering tongue 
with a potsherd from Tenedos. 


26 


zor AAKI®PONOY PHTOPOZ 


LXX. 


Λιμούστης Θρασοκυδοίμῳ. 


, ~ ~ " ~ 9S 
Kopidou τῷ γεωργῷ συνήθης ἐπιεικῶς ἦν, 
Α Ἀ » - " > 4A oe , 
καὶ τὰ πολλὰ ἐξεχεῖτο ἐπ᾽ ἐμοὶ τῷ γέλωτι, 
, ~ , A , “ἃ A A 
ἀστικῆς στωμυλίας καὶ ξένης ἢ κατὰ τοὺς 
, > of “ aN 4 4, 
χωρίτας ἐπαΐων. Τοῦτον ἰδὼν ἕρμαιον φήθην, 
“ “-“ . Ν ς ‘ 
εἰ τῶν κατ᾽ ἄστυ πραγμάτων amadAayets, 
9 Ν ° ‘ , A , 
εἰς τὸν ἀγρὸν βαδιοίμην, καὶ . συνεσοίμην 
° ὃ A Ἃ “ κι] , A > , 
ἀνδρὶ φίλῳ, γεωργῳ ἀπραάγμονι Kal ἐργατῇ, 
᾿] 9 , ΕΣ 9 ~~ , 9 
οὐκ ἐκ δικαστηρίων, οὐδὲ ἐκ τοῦ σείειν κατ 
“ A . ar ᾽ ~ , ° A “ 
ἀγορὰν adikovs ἐπινοοῦντι πόρους, ἀλλα γῆς 
9 , \ 9 + A 
θεν ἀναμένοντι τὴν ἐπικαρπίαν ἔχει. Kai 
“ A A lea 9 U 
δῆτα διανοηθεὶς ταῦθ᾽ οὕτω δρᾶν, ὠκειωσα- 
‘ ’ A ’ ᾿ Ν 
μὴν τὸν Κορύδωνα, καὶ στείλας ἐμαυτὸν 
3 δι ἢ > ’ 4 , 
ἀγροικικῶς, vakos evavramevos, καὶ σμινύην λα- 
\ . ΩΣ ef ᾿ > 9 
βὼν, αὐτοσκαπανεὺς ἐδόκουν. “Kws μὲν οὖν ἐν 


~~ , , lal 9 \ ζυ 
παιδιᾶς μέρει ἔπραττον ταῦτα, ἀνεκτὸν ἦν, 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 201 


ΤΟΣ, 
LIMUSTES TO THRASOCYDOEMUS. 


I was fairly intimate with Corydon 
the farmer, who often used to laugh 
heartily at me, since he understood city 
wit better than country people usually do. 
When I first saw him, I thought it would 
be a regular piece of luck for me, if I 
could give up a city life and retire to 
the country, and live with a friend who 
passed his life quietly working on his 
farm; then I need no longer think about 
making money by questionable practices 
in the courts, but could wait patiently 
to enjoy the fruits of the earth. Having 
determined to do this, I made friends 
with Corydon, dressed myself like a 
countryman, clad myself in a sheepskin, 
took up a mattock, and got myself up 
as a regular ditcher. As long as I did 
this for amusement, it was endurable, 
and I thought I had made a very good 

26—2 


202 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


A ’ 9 , 77 e ld 4 
καὶ μεγάλα ἀποκερδαίνειν φόμην, ὑβρέων Kat 
e , 4A ~ 4 . ’ ~ 
ῥαπισμάτων Kal τῆς περὶ τὰ ἐδώδιμα τῶν 

’ 9 ’ 9 ’, 9 A A 
πλουσίων ἀνισότητος ἀπηλλαγμένος" ἐπεὶ δὲ 
᾽ “. ’ [ 9 > ~ 
ἐκ τῆς καθημέραν συνηθείας, ἐξ ἐπιταγῆς 
- , > a ’ a9 A 
ἐπράττετο τοῦργον, καὶ ἔδει πάντως ἢ ἀροῦν, 
a , ’ , a , , 

ἢ φελλέα exxabaipew, ἢ γύρους περισκαπτειν, 

a - ’ ᾽ , ’ wy 
καὶ τοῖς BoOpas ἐμφυτεύειν, οὐκ ἔτ᾽ avac- 

‘ A ° , , ~ 
χετὸς ἡ διατριβὴ, ἀλλὰ μοι μετέμελε τῆς 
9 ’; , 4A 4 > , 
ἀλόγου πράξεως, καὶ τὴν πόλιν ἐπόθουν. 

4 > 4 , 9 wy, 
"EXOwy οὖν ἐπὶ μήκιστον χρόνον, οὐκ ἔθ᾽ 

’ ‘ A , , ᾿] ’ 
ὁμοίως δεκτὸς, οὐδὲ χαρίεις ἐδόκουν, ἀλλὰ 

old A A + ἂν 
τις ὄρειος καὶ τραχὺς Kal ἀπηχής, ὥστε αἱ 

Α 93 ἢ “ , ~ , ‘ 
μὲν οἰκίαι τῶν πλουσίων πᾶσαί μοι λοιπὸν 
᾿] , e 4 ‘ 4 , 9 
ἀπεκέκλειντο, ὁ δὲ λιμὸς τὴν γαστέρα ἐθυρο- 

, 9 A 4 > nn ε ‘ “A ~ 4 
κόπει. ᾿Εγὼ δὲ αὖος ὧν ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν ἀναγ- 

’ > ’ πὶ - aA 
καίων ἐνδείας, λῃσταῖς τισι Meyapixois, οἵ 

A Ν ’ - e , 3 ’ὔ 
περὶ τὰς Σκειρωνίδας τοῖς ὁδοιπόροις ἐνεδρεύ- 

> , 4 e , 9 Ἁ ᾽ 
ovat, ἐκοινώνησα" ἔνθεν ὁ βίος μοι ἀργὸς ἐξ 
° ’ , ° A ~ ~ 
ἀδικίας πορίζεται. Ei de λήσω ταῦτα ποιῶν 

Ἁ A , ‘ A ‘ ~ 
ἢ μὴ, ἄδηλον: δέδια δὲ THY μεταλλαγὴν τοῦ 

, "ἢ A e ~ 4 
βίου: εἰώθασι yap αἱ τοιαῦται μεταβολαὶ 

ς 5 x ~ > Sci Tae Ὁ , 
οὐκ εἰς TO ζῆν, ἀλλ᾽ εἰς ἀπώλειαν καταστρέ- 


pe. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 202 


bargain, since I was free from blows and 
insults, and the unequal footing on which 
I stood with my wealthy patrons; but 
when he made a daily practice of order- 
ing me to work, and I had either to 
plough, clear the stony ground, dig holes, 
or plant in the ditches, then this kind of 
life became unbearable; I repented of my 
foolish act, and longed for the city again. 
When I returned after my long absence, I 
did not meet with the same reception as 
before; instead of being looked upon as a 
wit, I was considered rough and unculti- 
vated, in fact, a regular boor. All the 
houses of the wealthy were from that time 
forth shut against me, and hunger knocked 
at the doors of my belly. Hard pressed 
for the bare necessaries of life, I joined a 
band of Megarian brigands, who lie in wait 
for travellers near the Scironian rocks; 
and since then I have gained a dishonest 
livelihood without working. I do not 
know whether I shall escape detection ; 
but I am alarmed about my new pro- 
fession, for such a change of life generally 
ends in destruction rather than safety. 


203  AAKISPONOXY PHTOPOL 


LXXI. 
Φιλόπωρος Ψιχομάχῳ. 


, ¢ ~ / \ Ud 
Λεξιῴφανης 6 τῆς κομῳδίας ποιητὴς θεασά- 
; A 7 9 , , 
μενὸς με προς ταῖς ἐν συμποσίοις παροινίαις, 
4 ς Ν ~ 4 9 , ‘ 
λαβὼν καθ᾽ ἑαυτὸν, πρῶτα μὲν ἐνουθέτει μὴ 
nw ΕῚ , ΕῚ i τ a , 
τοιαῦτα ἐπιτηδεύειν, ἐξ ὧν ὕβρις TO τέλος" 
+ ~ , e + 4 
ἔπειτα τοῦ φρονήματος ws ἔχοιμι διὰ Bpa- 
’ ο A ~ ~ “~ ~ 
χέων. ἀποπειραθεὶς, τῷ χορῷ τῶν κωμικῶν 
4 “ 7 + 
συλλαμβάνει: ἐκ τοῦδε τραφησόμενον ἔφασκε 
A. ἐλιὰ , ΓΕ: , , 
καὶ ἐμέ. ᾿Ἐκελευεν οὖν ἐκμαθόντα Διονυσίοις 
- ’ a A ~ ee ~ ° 
τοῖς ἐπιοῦσι TO τοῦ οἰκέτου σχῆμα avada- 
, Ἁ , , a ~ , ς 
Bovra, τὸ μέρος ἐκεῖνο τοῦ δράματος ὑπο- 
, κ ‘ 9 4 A a“ A 
κρίνασθα. ᾿γὼ de ὀψὲ τοῦ καιροῦ καὶ 
‘4 " \ , , 
φύσιν καὶ ἐπιτήδευσιν μεταβαλὼν, δύσκολος 
4 A > ὃ ’ A A 3 
τις καὶ δυσμαθὴς ἐφαινόμην: ἐπεὶ δὲ οὐκ ἣν 
e , εὐ lal "534 Α 
ἑτέρως πράττειν, τὸ δράμα ἐξέμαθον, καὶ 


λ , : , ς}) 4 , [) a 
MEACTHVY GACKITEL PWAOAS, ETOLMLOS εἰμι τῳ 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 203 


LXXI. 
PHILOPORUS TO PSICHOMACHUS. 


LEXIPHANES, the comic poet, seeing 
me treated with drunken insults, took me 
aside. He first advised me not to con- 
tinue my present manner of life, which 
only ended in insult; and then, having 
tested my abilities, got me into the 
comedians’ company, which he said would 
enable me to earn my living. He ordered 
me to get up the part of a slave for the 
next Dionysia, at which I was to make 
my first appearance. As it was rather 
late in life for me to change my nature 
and habits, I seemed peevish and hard 
to teach ; but, as I had no alternative, I 
learned my part, and, now that I have 
studied and practised it, I am ready to 
perform with the rest of the company. 
You and your friends must be ready to 


204 AAKI®PONOZY PHTOPOZ 


a ἘΞ ‘ we Se ‘ A ? 
χορῷ συντελεῖν. Xv δὲ ἡμῖν μετὰ τῶν συνή- 
ς᾽ , ‘ , [2 39 , 
θων ἐπίσειε TOUS κρότους, ἵνα, Kav τι λαθωμεν 
° / Ἁ ’ 4 ° 4 
ἀποσφαλέντες, μὴ λαβῃ χώραν τὰ ἀστικὰ 

, ’ «ἃ , , e n~ 
μειράκια κλώζειν ἢ συρίττειν, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ τῶν 
5 , , ‘ ΄“΄ a ’ 
ἐπαίνων κρότος τὸν θροῦν τῶν σκωμμάτων 


παραλύσῃ. 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 204 


start the applause, so that, if I should 
happen to make any mistakes, the city 
young men may have no opportunity of 
hooting or hissing me. Let the clap- 
ping of hands in applause drown the 
noise of the scoffers. 


205 AAKI®PONOZ PHTOPOZ 


LXXII. 
Οἰνοχαίρων Ῥαφανοχορτάσῳ. 


᾽ { ε A e lal , 
Οὐχ οὕτως of τοὺς Β;ρμᾶς περικόψχντες, 
By “ ΄“, Κ᾿ “- . 
ἢ τὰ τῆς θεοῦ ἐν ᾿Ελευσῖνι μυστήρια ἐξορχη- 
, ‘ A ~ “5 “ e , 
σάμενοι, τὸν περὶ ψυχῆς ἀγῶνα ὑπέμειναν, 
ς 9 A “ A 9 ‘ 9 A ~ 
ὡς ἐγὼ, εἰς χεῖρας ἐμπεσὼν, ὦ θεοὶ, τῆς μιαρω- 
, , 5 A A ΕΣ A 
τάτης Pavouaxys. "Emre yap ἔγνω Tov 
ἑαυτῆς προσκείμενον τῇ ᾿Ιωνικῇ παιδίσκῃ, τῇ 
\ Ud 9 « , 4 Ν , 
τὰς σφαίρας ἀναῤῥιπτούσῃ καὶ Tas λαμπάδας 
, e , > A , > 
περιδινούσῃ, ὑπετόπησεν ἐμὲ πρόξενον εἶναι 
~ , A ‘ ~ " “ “" , 
τῆς κοινωνίας, καὶ Ola TOV οἰκετῶν ἀναρπα- 
~ ‘ 9 , 
vaca, παραχρῆμα μὲν ev κυσοδόχῃ δήσασα 
bd) ‘ ς U \ \ \ 
κατέσχεν, εἰς THY ὑστεραίαν de Tapa Tov 
ς “ > ’ Ἁ ‘ , 
ἑαυτῆς ἦγε πατέρα, τὸν σκυθρωπὸν Kreaive- 
εἴ ~ A ~ , ~ i 
Tov, ὃς τανῦν δὴ ταῦτα πρωτεύει TOU συνε- 
’ \ 5 - ea e 93 , 
δρίου, καὶ εἰς αὐτὸν ὁ "Ἄρειος πάγος 
9 , 3 μ μ 
ἀποβλέπουσιν. ᾿Αλλ᾽ ὅταν τινὰ θέλωσιν οἱ 


θεοὶ σώζεσθαι, καὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀνασπῶσι βαρά- 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 205 


LXXII. 
OENOCHAERON TO RAPHANOCHORTASUS. 


THOSE who have mutilated the Hermae, 
or betrayed the secrets of the Eleusinian 
goddess, have never endured such agony 
as I did, when I fell into the clutches 
of that accursed woman Phanomache, 
When she found out that her husband 
was devoted to that Ionian wench, who 
is clever at tossing up balls and 
swinging lamps round, she immediately 
suspected that I was the go-between 
in the connexion, ordered her servants 
to seize me, and clapped me _ into 
the stocks. The next day, she took me 
before her father, the sulky Cleaenetus, 
who is now President of the Council, and 
held in great respect by the members of 
the Areopagus. But when it is the will 
of the gods that anyone should escape, 
they can draw him up even from the 


206 ΑΛΚΙΦΡΟΝῸΣ PHTOPOZ 


" ‘ ~ Ἁ oe 
Opwv, ὡς κἀμὲ TOU τρικαρήνου κυνὸς, ὃν φασιν 
9 ’ - , ι 
ἐφεστάναι ταῖς Taprapéas πύλαις, ἐξήρπασαν. 
3 4 4 ‘ ᾽ “Ὁ « A " - 
Οὐκ ἔφθη yap τὰ κατ᾽ ἐμε ὁ δεινὸς ἐκεῖνος 
, - ἂν , : Δ 9 , 
πρεσβύτης τῇ βουλῇ κοινούμενος, καὶ ἠἡπιάλῳ 
A ° 4 ° ’ ‘ ‘ 
συσχεθεὶς, εἰς τὴν ἕω ἀπέψυξες Kai ὁ μὲν 
“ , a \ ‘ > , a ” 
ἐκταδὴν κεῖται, πρὸς THY ἐκῴφοραν τῶν οἴκοι 
, 9 κι A , 
παρασκευαζομένων: ἐγὼ δὲ [ψύττα κατα- 
ἤ e ~ > > , 4 , 
τείνας], ἣ ποδῶν εἶχον, φχόμην: καὶ σώζομαι 
" e Ἁ “ ~ , , 4 
οὐχ ὑπο τοῦ τῆς ᾿Ατλαντίδος Μαίας παιδὸς 
4 ° « A “~ ~ 
ψυχαγωγηθεὶς, ἀλλ᾽ ὑπὸ τῶν ποδῶν καὶ 
wn 4 9 , , 
τοῦ τολμήματος, τὴν ἐλευθέραν πορίσας 


J , 
aTpaTrov, 


LETTERS OF ALCIPHRON 206 


bottom of the pit, just as they saved me 
from the clutches of the three-headed 
dog, who, they say, keeps guard before 
the entrance to the nether world. For, 
before the terrible old man could bring 
my case before the Council, he was at- 
tacked by the hot ague, and died in the 
morning. He now lies stretched out in 
death, and his household are making 
preparations for the funeral; meanwhile, 
I ran off as fast as my feet could carry 
me. I owe my safety and freedom, not 
so much to the escort of the son of Maia, 
the daughter of Atlas, as to the swiftness 
of my feet and my own boldness. 


BD ΕΙΣ 


ys 


=f 


aie: 
hy a > yk eth 
Ge. i te: eo wily 


'. ἢ > ad | 
' ΨῚ 4, 
Pray ‘ ea ἢ ya 
}: worm, VN. t 
MS AS = ἢ a 


Ly see 
“OAS OF Ἐξ ak 


Ponte 
Ν 
> by 


Pate 
Pree 
TE hat 


oe 
Aide 
te Ahi 
be § 
Ptr 
Pep? Ge 


a ἧς \ Σ 

ΡΝ 

WAP EAC 
‘fy ah 





NOTES 





These Notes ave merely intended to give brief explana- 
tions of names or allusions, and do not deal with 
matters of textual criticism. 


BOOK I 


The first figure refers to the page, the second to the line of the page. 


Pace LINE 
2 20 #£xPhalerum: One of the three harbours of 
Athens, the other two being Piraeus 
and Munychia. 


3 7 The cask of the Danaides: These were 
the fifty daughters of Danaus; they 
were married to the fifty sons of 
Aegyptus, and all of them, except 
one, put their husbands to death on 
the wedding night. Asa punishment, 
they were sentenced, in the lower 
world, to keep incessantly pouring 
water into casks which were full of 
holes. Hence the expression is used 
to signify ‘‘ useless labour.” 


3 8 Sea nettles: Fishes called by this name. 


3 18 In the pool of Eurynome: There is 
great doubt about the reading here. 
Eurynome is supposed to be either 
the name of a sea-nymph or a place. 


208 

Pace LINE 
5 + 
δίς πῇ 
5 16 
Fit 
8 I 


NOTES 


Aneisidora : Corn is said to have been 
first produced in Attica; hence its 
inhabitants gave the earth the name 
of Aneisidora, “ producer of gifts.” 


Who hang about the Painted Porch: 1.6.» 
the Stoic philosophers. The στοὰ 
ποικίλη was one of the most re- 
markable of the 2roat, or porticos 
of Athens; it was so called from the 
variety of curious pictures it con- 
tained. Here it was that Zeno, the 
founder of the Stoic school of philo- 
sophy, taught, and for that reason 
his followers were called Stoics. 


Aratus : He wrote two poems on astro- 
nomical subjects; he is supposed to 
have lived about B.c. 270; Cicero 
translated part of his poems into 
Latin Verse. 


The Oschophoria and Lenaea: Two festi- 
vals in honour of Dionysus (Bacchus). 
The former was properly the name 
given to a day of the Athenian 
festival Σκίρα or Σκιροφόρια, on 
which chosen boys, sons of citizens, 
in women’s dress, carrying vine- 
branches (ὄσχοι) loaded with grapes, 
went in procession from the temple 
of Bacchus to that of ᾽Αθηνᾶ Σκιράς. 


The Lenaea was so called from Anvis, a 
wine-press. Dramatic contests, es- 
pecially between the comic poets, 
took place on this occasion. 


Aegina: A well-known island in the 
Saronic Gulf, which played an im- 
portant part in the history of ancient 
Greece. 


9 


13 


15 


vt 


15 


Pace LINE 
6 


' 16 


12 


17 


NOTES 209 


Darics: A Persian gold coin, about 
equal in value to a guinea. Said to 
have been first coined by King 
Darius, but the name is probably 
derived from the Persian dara, “a 
king’”’—cf. our ““ sovereign.” 


Salamis: B.c. 480, when Xerxes was 
defeated in a naval engagement by 
the Athenians under Themistocles. 


Stiria: One of the demes or town- 
ships into which Attica was divided. 


Hermione: In Argolis, in Peloponnesus. 


Hair-nets: A woman’s head-dress made 
of net, used to confine the hair with, 
especially indoors, such as are still 
used in Italy and Spain. 


Corycian bark: So called from a moun- 
tain in Lydia, in Asia Minor, which 
was famous as being the haunt of 
pirates. 


After the fashion of Mandrobulus: That 
is, from bad to worse. The following 
is the explanation given of this pro- 
verbial expression: Mandrobulus, 
having had the good luck to dis- 
cover a vast treasure, in gratitude 
to the gods, offered a golden ram 
to them; he afterwards offered one 
of silver; then one of brass; and, 
finally, none at all. 


Sphettus . . . Cholargus: Two Attic 
demes. 

Dionysia: Festival of Bacchus. 

Apaturia: A festival first instituted at 
Athens, so called from ἀπάτη, “ de- 


ceit,” because it celebrated the 
memory of a stratagem by which 


27 


210 
Pace LINE 
16 I 
17 18 
18 

19 

τὸ ᾿ὧσ8 
10. 1. 
22 16 
23 4 
27 I 


NOTES 


Melanthius, king of Athens, over- 
came Xanthus, king of Boeotia. 


Market-inspectors : Clerks of the market, 
who regulated the buying and selling, 
like the Roman aediles. 


Malea: The southernmost point of 
Greece. It was considered a very 
dangerous part for navigation. There 
was a proverb, ‘* When you double 
Malea, forget those at home.” 


Caphareus: A promontory of Euboea. 


Paralus « . . Salaminia: The two 
Athenian galleys, reserved for state- 
services, religious missions, embassies, 
the conveyance of public moneys and 
persons, and also frequently as ad- 
mirals’ galleys in sea-fights. 


Sunium: In Attica. 


Geraesius: A harbour and promontory 
in Euboea. 


A Telchinian: The Telchinians were the 
first inhabitants of Crete, Cyprus, 
and Rhodes, and the first workers in 
metal. They had a bad reputation as 
spiteful genii; hence, a ‘‘ Telchinian” 
was used generally for ‘a spiteful, 
mischievous person.” 


The Aveopagus: The highest judicial 
court of Athens, so called from the 
"Apevos πάγος, or hill of Ares, over 


against the Acropolis, where it was 
held. 


Watcher : A man whose duty it was to 
help the fishermen by keeping a look- 
out and giving them notice of the 
approach of a shoal of fish. 


Pace LINE 
29 5 
29 7 
31 6 
i A τὸ. 
46. ΔΑ. Ὁ 
38 τῷ 
39 7 
39 17 
40 7 
40 12 
41 8 


NOTES 211 


Gulf of Calydon: Part of the Gulf of 
Corinth. 

Crataiis: A reference to Homer’s Odys- 
sey. When Ulysses learns from Circe 
that he must lose six of his com- 
panions at the rock of Scylla, he asks 
how he can avenge their death; but 
Circe advises him to flee without 
delay and invoke Crataiis, the mother 
of Scylla, to protect him against 
further loss. 


Wine from Chalybon : Wine from a town 
in Syria, which was a favourite drink 
of the kings of Persia. 


A plan worthy of Ulysses: A proverbial 
expression, signifying a very clever 
plan, Ulysses being considered a 
model of cunning. 


A couple of obols: An obol was worth 
about three halfpence. 


Propontis : The Sea of Marmora. 


Colonus : One of the boroughs of Attica, 
famous for the tomb of Oedipus, and 
immortalised by Sophocles, who was 
a native of it, in his tragedy of Oedipus 
at Colonus. 


How many talents? A talent was worth 
about £250. 


For a month: The interest on borrowed 
money was paid monthly, and the 
day of collecting it was the last day 
of every moon. 


A wolf: Wolves were such a pest to the 
country that a reward was publicly 
offered for their destruction. 


Completely ruined me : Literally, ‘‘turned 
me upside down.” The allusion is 


27—2 


212 
PaGE LINE 
42 6 
42 τῇ 
43 3 
44. 5 
44 13 
50 17 
52 7 
sq" 6 
54 17 
56 


NOTES 


to casks of wine which, having been 
drained of their contents, are turned 
upside down and used for sitting on. 


Decrepit: Literally, “845 old as three 
crows.” 


Cecrops: The oldest legendary king of 
Athens: hence used for “an old 
dotard.”’ 


The Isthmian Games: So called from 
the Isthmus of Corinth, where they 
were celebrated. They were sup- 
posed to have been instituted by 
Theseus, king of Attica, in honour 
of Neptune. 


Olympian: Read ‘ Isthmian.” 


Chremes οὐ Diphilus: Two characters 
in Menander’s plays. 


The Festival of Ceres: The Haloa (‘AAGa) 
was a festival in honour of Demeter 
(Ceres) as the inventress of agri- 
culture. 


The Academy: A gymnasium in the 
suburbs of Athens, where Plato the 
philosopher taught: hence his pupils 
were called Academics. 


Aspasia: The mistress of the famous 
Athenian statesman, Pericles; she is 
said to have studied under Gorgias 
of Leontini, a famous sophist and 
rhetorician. 


The Lyceum: A public wrestling-ground 
in the eastern suburbs of Athens. 


A poor consolation: The commentators 
differ greatly as to the interpretation 
of this passage. According to some, 
the reference is not to a “flower,” but 


PaGE LINE 
ra, 
57 9 
58 τὸ 
59 3 
65 15 
66 14 
67 12 
68 4 
68 12 


NOTES 213 


to a lock of hair from Petale’s head; 
others explain it by the Greek proverb, 
ἐκ Tpixos κρέμαται, implying that a 
man is in great danger, “ hanging 
by a single hair’ or thread. But 
“the flowers” seems to suit the epithet 
μαραινόμενον. 


Myrrhinus: An Attic deme. 


The silver mines : The mines of Laurium, 
in the neighbourhood of Attica, were 
famous. 


Well, my friend: We find similar sug- 
gestions in Lwucian’s Dialogues of 
Courtesans (xii.). 

The festival of Adonis: Celebrated in 
most of the cities of Greece in honour 
of Venus, and in memory of her be- 
loved Adonis. See the account in 
the Adoniazusae, the 15th Idyll of 
Theointus. 

A staff of figtvee wood: The allusion is 
obscure ; nothing is known of Philo. 
The proverb itself is said to be used 
of those who have attained to happi- 
ness and fortune beyond their 
deserts ; the idea implied by “ fig- 
tree wood” is that of weakness 
and untrustworthiness; but it is 
not easy to see the application here. 


A serious dispute: For a similar con- 
test compare Athenaeus, Book xii., 
and the Amores of Lucian. 


Then she showed: Lit., but it (πυγὴ) 
did not tremble, &c. 


The Golden Alley: This topography 
occurs again in Book iii. letter 8. 


Colyttus: An Attic deme. 


214 ΝΟΤΕΒ 


Pace LINE ‘ 
68 16 A dice-box: Others propose κήριον, 
"a waxen image.” 


68 17 Coral image: Some take Corallium 
(κοράλλιον) as a proper name ; 
others interpret it as ‘‘ counters.” 


BOOK II 


70 6 Demetrius: Surnamed Poliorcetes, son 
of Antigonus, one of the generals of 
Alexander the Great. He was sent 
by his father against Ptolemy at the 
age of 22. He defeated this prince, 
delivered Athens from the yoke of 
Cassander, and drove out the garri- 
son established by Demetrius of 
Phalerum. He seized Cyprus, forced 
Cassander to raise the siege of 
Athens, defeated him at Thermo- 
pylae, and restored their liberty to 
the Rhodians and Phocidians. He 
was appointed commander-in-chief 
of the Greeks, took part of Thessaly 
from Cassander, and was defeated 
at Ipsus (302) by Lysimachus and 
Seleucus. The Athenians refused to 
admit him to Athens, but he after- 
wards forced his way there, took 
possession of the city, defeated the 
Lacedaemonians, and ascended the 
Macedonian throne. He died in 
B.C. 209. 

σι 5 Gnathaena: A contemporary and rival 
courtesan. 

71 6 But this does not grieve me: The mean- 
ing of this passage is much dis- 
puted; others render ἠλογημένη, “1 
am greatly perplexed.” 


Pace LINE 
73 +16 
73... 19 
74 3 
74. 13 
75 3 
75 3 
78 5 
965 2% 
76 26 


NOTES 215 


Who behaved like foxes at Ephesus: 
There was a Greek proverb, οἴκοι μὲν 
λέοντες, ἐν μάχῃ δ᾽ ἀλώπεκες. We 
are told that this was applied to 
the Lacedaemonians by Lamia, in 
consequence of their having been 
corrupted in Ionia by the influence 
of Lysander. 


Taygetus : A mountain in Laconia. 


Epicurus: The founder of the Epicurean 
sect of philosophers, whose motto, 
roughly speaking, was that pleasure 
was the chief good, the summum 
bonum. His antithesis was Zeno, the 
founder of the Stoic school. Consult 
Zeller’s Stoics, Epicureans, and Sceptics. 


His doctrines about nature: His κυρίαι 
δοξαι, or special tenets. 


In his irony : A reference to the Socra- 
tic εἰρώνεια, an ignorance purposely 
affected to confound an opponent. 


Pythocles : The favourite of Epicurus, as 
Alcibiades was of Socrates. 


Some Cappadocian: A reference to the 
inelegance of Epicurus’s style, which 
is mentioned by Athenaeus. 


The Lyceum: A building dedicated to 
Apollo, on the banks of the Ilissus, 
one of the three Gymnasia, the other 
two being the Academy and the 
Cynosarges. 


This Atreus: The following is the com- 


parison drawn. If Epicurus is Atreus, 
king of Mycenae, Timarchus will 
represent Thyestes, the younger 
brother of Atreus, and Leontium 
Aerope the wife of Atreus, who com- 


216 


Pace LIne 
+ je Ree ἢ 
79 i 
80 7 
80 9 
80 13 
80 


NOTES 


mitted adultery with Thyestes, who 
on that account was driven out of the 
kingdom. 


Sophists : The so-called “professors of 
wisdom,” who undertook to teach 
everything for a consideration. There 
is a celebrated chapter on these 
people in Grote’s History of Greece. 


The Eleusinian goddesses and their mys- 
tevies: These mysteries were cele- 
brated every fifth year at Eleusis, a 
borough town in Attica, in honour of 
Ceres and her daughter Proserpine. 
It was the most solemn and mysterious 
of all the Greek festivals. 


The Haloa: See note on 50, 17. 


Ptolemy, King of Egypt: Ptolemy Soter 
or Lagus (360-283). He had been 
one of: Alexander’s most trustworthy 
generals, and, at the partition of the 
Empire, was made governor of Egypt. 
He remained as a nominal tributary 
to the Macedonian power until 306, 
when he became the actual king and 
assumed the title of the Pharaohs. 
He laid the foundation of the great- 
ness of Alexandria by inaugurating 
its library and school. 


Philemon : A comic poet, contemporary 
of Menander. 


18 \Menander (B.c. 342-290): He was 


drowned while bathing in the har- 
bour of Piraeus. He wrote more 
than 100 comedies; but was only 
crowned eight times, through the in- 
trigues of his rival Philemon. Only 
a few fragments of his works remain, 
found in Athenaeus, Suidas, and 


Pace LINE 
80. 2t 
81 18 
81 21 
82 6 
82 8 
82 9 
82.... 12 


NOTES 217 


Stobalus ; he was the creator of what 
was called the New Comedy. 


My Heliaea: The Heliaea was the chief 
law-court of Athens. 


Thericlean drinking-cups: Broad drink- 
ing-cups, of black clay or wood, 
called after Thericles, a Corinthian 
potter. 


Our yearly Choes: The Feast of Pitchers, 
the second day of the Anthesteria, or 
Feast of Flowers, the three days’ ἡ 
festival in honour of Dionysus 
(Bacchus) in the month Anthesterion 
(the eighth month of the Attic year, 
answering to the end of February 
and the beginning of March). 


The legislators: The θεσμοθέται, or six 
junior archons at Athens, who after 
their year of office expired, became 
members of the Areopagus. 


The voped inclosure: In the Athenian 
law-courts, the judges were separated 
from the people by a rope. There 
may also be an allusion to the ver- 
milion - painted rope, with which 
loiterers were driven out of the 
Agora into the Pnyx. See Aristo- 
phanes, Acharnians, 22; and Ecclesi- 
azusae, 379. 

The Feast of Pots: The third day of 
the Anthesteria. 

The Cevamicus: Literally, the Potters’ 

uarter; there were two places of 
this name, the inner and outer. 

The Stenia: A nightly festival in which 
the return of Demeter (Ceres) from 
the lower world was celebrated by 


218 
Pace Line 
82.55 
85 2 
86 14 
87 19 
88 11 
88 16 
89 5 
go 19 
ΟΙ Ι 
gi 16 


NOTES 


women. Others propose Στείρια, the 
name of a deme or borough in the 
tribe of Pandionis. 


_Psyttalia: A small island near Salamis. 


The glorious Mother: Ceres. 


Even tf an ox were to speak: That is, if 
something unnatural were to happen. 


The promontory of Proteus : The promon- 
tories of the island of Pharos, which 
was afterwards famous for its light- 
house. 

Its echoing statues: Especially the statue 
of Memnon. 


Its famous labyrinth: For a description, 
see Herodotus, ii. 148. 


Bushels: A pédwvos was properly a 
measure containing six bushels. 


Like another Ariadne: Ariadne, having 
fallen in love with Theseus, delivered 
him from the Minotaur, by giving him 
a ball of thread, which conducted him 
out of the labyrinth, after he had de- 
stroyed the monster. In return for 
this, Theseus carried Ariadne with 
him as far as Naxos, and there aban- 
doned her. She afterwards became 
the priestess of Bacchus. 


Those Athenian wasps : In the well-known 
play (The Wasps) of Aristophanes, the 
chorus is composed of these creatures, 
the chief reason given for this being 
the “ irritable and passionate charac- 
ter of the Athenians,” 


Theophrastus : The tutor of Menander. 


The stretching of the branches of the broom : 
Others read ἄστρων διαθέσει, “the 
arrangement of the stars.” 


Pace LINE 
ΟΙ 23 
94 6 
96 I 
96 2 
οὐ 7 
97 3 
99 7 
I00 It 
102 12 
102. 14 
105 2 


NOTES 219 


Styvax : The shrub which produces the 
sweet-smelling gum or resin used for 
incense. 

Your damsel inspired with divine frenzy : 
The title of one of Menander’s come- 
dies (θεοφορουμένη). It may simply 
allude to Glycera herself. 


BOOK Ill 


Orchomenus: A city in Arcadia where 
there was a temple of the Graces. 


Gargaphia: A fountain in Boeotia. 


The Lesbian Sappho : Who threw herself 
into the sea for love of Phaon. 


A dose of hellebore: Supposed to be a 
specific for madness. Anticyra was 
a town in Phocis, on the Corinthian 
Gulf. 


Phloea : One of the Attic demes. 


Palamedes : The great inventor amongst 
the Greeks. Astrology and _ the 
measuring of time were two of his 
notable discoveries. 


The Leocovium: The temple of the 
daughters of Leos, who, in time of 
famine, sacrificed his daughters in 
order to put a stop to it. 


Mendos: In Egypt. Others understand 
it of wine from Mende in Thrace. 


What god unexpectedly interfered ? Lit., 
acted the part of the Deus ex machina 
(θεὸς ἀπὸ μηχανῆς), a proverbial ex- 
pression signifying a happier issue 
of a disagreeable situation than might 
have been expected. 


220 


Pace LINE 


107 


Iit 


114 


Ι2Ὶ 


124 


125 


126 


128 


131 


6 


3 


13 


14 


NOTES 


From the Scyrian quarter; The common 
haunt of courtesans. 


Fall of the leaves: Plutarch (Symposiaca, 
viii. 10) says: ‘‘ Dreams are unreliable 
and false, especially in the months 
when the trees shed their leaves.” 

Dryads, Epimelides, and Naiads: The 
Wood Nymphs, Nymphs of the flocks 
and herds (or fruits), and the Water 
Nymphs. 

Coliades . . . Genetyllides: Both names 
of Venus. 


The son of Calliope: Orpheus. 
The Edonians: A Thracian people. 


A Melian or Acarnanian mercenary : Sup- 
posed to be a reference to characters 
in Menander’s plays. Compare the 
Miles Gloriosus of Plautus. 


The Cordax : The Athenian representa- 
tive of the cancan. 


Oechalia : There were five towns of this 
name. This Eurybates was a well- 
known thief and sharper. 


The stony field: The name of a rocky 
district of Attica. 


The Eleven: Composed of one repre- 
sentative from each of the ten tribes 
of Athens, together with a clerk, 
They had charge of the prisons, 
police, and the punishment of 
criminals. 


Brilessus : A mountain in Attica, almost 
as famous for its honey as Mount 
Hymettus. 


That vascal Strombichus: Lit., Corycian 
evil spirit. There was a Greek pro- 


Pace LINE 


134 


134 


139 


I41 


142 


142 
144 


144 


144 


145 


12 


13 


4 


NOTES 221 


verb, ‘* A Corycian has heard him.” 
It had its origin from the brigands 
who infested Mount Corycus. (See 
note on 13, 16.) 


The Meticheum: The name of an Athe- 
nian law-court. 


A greater chatterer than a turtle-dove: A 
proverbial expression. According to 
Aelian, the turtle-dove kept up a 
perpetual cooing, not only in front, 
but also behind. 


Timon: Compare Timon the Misan- 
thrope as described by Lucian, and 
Shakspere’s Timon of Athens. 


The soldier: A stock character with 
Greek comic writers; compare Le- 
ontichus in Lucian’s Dialogues of 
Courtesans. 


Hermaphroditus: The special god who 
presided over the destinies of married 
people. 

Alopece: One of the Attic demes. 


Numenius : It was customary at Athens 
to buy and sell slaves at the com- 
mencement of the new moon. 


Epimenides the Cretan: This person, 
being tired with walking, is said to 
have gone into a cave, where he 
slept for 47 years. 


Hercules: His birth was said to have 
taken three nights to accomplish. 


The Thesmophoria: An ancient festival 
held by the Athenian women in 
honour of Demeter (Ceres) Thesmo- 
phorus, the law-giver, so called as 
having introduced tillage and given 
the first impulse to civil society. 


222 

PaGe LINE 
147 8 
148 10 
149 2 
150 4 
I5r 18 
153 3 
155 2 
155 6 
155 17 
1588 5 


NOTES 


Dogs: i.e. the Cynics. 


Draco: The oldest Athenian legislator. 
His laws, which were very severe, 
were afterwards considerably modi- 
fied by Solon, 


Decelea : About 14 miles north of Athens, 
on a ridge of Mt. Parnes. 


The goddess of labour : Especially women’s 
labour. Minerva is meant. 


The Cynosarges: A gymnasium outside 
the city, sacred to Hercules, for the 
use of those who were not of pure | 
Athenian blood. 


Sevangium: In Piraeus. 


Megareans or Aegieans: Both these 
people were regarded with contempt, 
as we learn from Homer, Theocritus, 
and Erasmus, 


Crates : We are told by Diogenes Laer- 
tius that he was called θυρεπανοίκτης, 
that is, the door-opener, because all 
doors were open to receive him. 


After he has wiped his hands upon it: 
Others take this to mean that “ the 
Graces have wiped their hands upon 
him,” that is, bestowed a part of their 
grace and powers of fascination upon 
him. According to the translation in 
the text, the passage refers to the 
custom of placing a piece of fine soft 
bread before each guest at an enter- 
tainment, with which he wiped his 
fingers, and afterwards threw it to 
the dogs. 

The Cureotis: The third day of the 
Festival of Apaturia, on which the 
sons of Athenian citizens were ad- 


PaGE 


LINE 


15 


NOTES 223 


mitted, at three or four years of age, 
among the φράτορες or tribesmen, and 
their names entered in their register, 
which was afterwards a proof of their 
citizenship. 


Hermione: In Argolis. 


Of Molossian and Cnosian breed: From 
Molossus in Epirus. The Cnosian 
came from Crete. 


A dog who, &c.: A common proverbial 
expression. Cf. Horace: Ut canis a 
corio nunquam absterrebitur uncto. 


The Pvropompi: Possibly the ‘ Seven 
against Thebes” may be meant; or 
it is one of the lost tragedies of 
Aeschylus. 


Phenea: A town in Arcadia. 


His fellow-actors: Literally, flatterers of 
Dionysus. 


Enneacrunus: Another name for the 
fountain of Callirhoe, so called from 
its having “nine springs.” 


Haliartus: In Boeotia. 


Dipylum: The “double gate,” the largest 
in Athens. 


Pyanepsion : October-November. 


The second day: Which was spent by 
the bridegroom at his father-in-law’s 
house. 


His houses: Properly, houses in which 
several families live, “ flats,” or 
ες lodging-houses,”’ answering to the 
Roman insulae. Such houses were 
a common investment amongst the 
wealthier Athenians. : 


224 


PAGE 


168 


168 
168 
168 


170 
172 


174 


176 


176 


177 


179 
179 


180 


LINE 
2 


17 


Io 


NOTES 


Eurotas: Anciently called the “king 
of rivers,’ and worshipped by the 
Spartans as a powerful god. It rose 
in Arcadia and flowed through La- 
conia, 


Pivene: A spring near Corinth. 
Callirhoe: See on 164, 8. 


Run the risk of growing thin: Others 
render “ οὗ being torn to pieces.” 


The oracle of Dodona: The prophetic 
oak of Dodona, the most ancient 
oracle of Greece. 


The Painted Porch: See on 5, 11. 


Like a Spartan: It was part of the 
severe discipline which prevailed 
among the Spartans to flog their 
young men to make them hardy 
and able to bear pain. 


These solemn personages: This letter 
bears a very close resemblance to 
Lucian’s Symposium, or Banquet of 
the Philosophers. 

The Peripatetic: The Peripatetics were 
the school of Aristotle and his fol- 
lowers, so called because he taught 
walking in a περίπατος or walk of 
the Lyceum at Athens. 


His veserve: The Pythagoreans were 
famous for their silence. 


Pythocles: The favourite of Epicurus. 


To eat and drink: A quotation from the 
speech of Eumaeus to Ulysses, Odys- 


SCV, XV. 377. 


The Saturnalia: The festival in honour 
of Cronus or Saturn, celebrated at 


PAGE 


180 


182 


183 


185 


186 


187 


188 


188 


NOTES 225, 


LINE 
: Athens on the 12th day of the month 
Hecatombaeon (July-August). 


9 Shoes: Called ᾿Ιφικράτιδες after the 
Athenian general Iphicrates. 


4 The silent hero: Probably Harpocrates, 
the god of silence, who was usually 
represented with his finger on his 
lips. 

12 Ganymede: Who was carried up to 
heaven by an eagle to Jupiter to be 
his cupbearer. 


9 The Craneiumm: The market-place of 
Corinth. 


9 Cythera: The modern Cerigo, where 
Venus is said to have sprung from 
the sea. 


4 Chalastraean nitre: From Chalestra, the 
name of a town and lake in Macedo- 
nia. It is highly spoken of by Pliny. 

1 The Pnyx: The place at Athens where 
the ᾿Εκκλησίαι or assemblies of the 
people were held ; it was cut out of a 
hill about a quarter of a mile west of 
the Acropolis or citadel, and was 
semi-circular in form like a theatre. 


| 5 Ostracised : When it was decided to re- 


move a powerful party-leader, after 
the Senate and Ecclesia had decided 
that such a step was necessary, each 
citizen wrote upon a tile or oystershell 
(oorpaxds) the name of the person 
whom he desired to banish. The 
votes were then collected, and if it 
was found that 6,000 had been re- 
corded against any one person, he 
was obliged to withdraw from the 
city within ten days. 


28 


226 

PaGE LINE 
189 17 
190 4 
190 (12 
IQI 8 
193 7 
194 I 
196 I 
198 2 
199 14 


NOTES 


One of the Olympian fascinators: The 
commentators do not venture upon an 
explanation. It may simply refer to 
the athletes who had gained prizes 
at the Olympic games, and gave 
themselves airs in consequence. 


Empusa: A hobgoblin that assumed 
various shapes. 


A vradish: This, as is well known, 
formed part of the punishment of 
an adulterer. 


Some tokens: The recognition of children 
in later life through these tokens is 
a favourite device with Greek and 
Roman dramatists. 


Goddess of sensual love: Venus popu- 
laris, or Πάνδημος, the goddess of 
‘*common” as opposed to “ spiritual” 
love. 


Istvia: On the Euxine Sea. 


That accursed barber: We are reminded 
of the barber in the Arabian Nights. 


Who carried the basket: This basket 
contained the sacred things that 
were carried in procession at the 
feasts of Ceres, Bacchus, and Mi- 
nerva. The office was highly prized. 


The Saviour princes: The Dioscuri, 
Castor and Pollux. The following 
is the story of Simonides: He was 
at a banquet, when someone came 
to tell him that two young men in 
the street wanted to speak to him. 
He went out: and at the same 
moment, the roof of the house fell 
in, and destroyed all beneath it. 
The two young men were supposed 


Pace LINE 


203 


205 


12 


NOFPES — 227 


to have been Castor and Pollux. 
Simonides of Ceos was the most 
prolific poet of Greece, and is con- 
sidered as a first inventor of a 
mnemonical system. 


The Well of Callichorum: Wives sus- 
pected of infidelity to their husbands 
were obliged to declare their inno- 
cence at this well. 


_ For the next Dionysia: At which new 


plays were performed. 


Hermae: Figures of Hermes (Mercury) 
in the public streets, which it was 
considered a heinous offence to mu- 
tilate or remove. 


Betrayed : Literally, ‘‘ danced out,” 
apparently referring to certain dances 
which burlesqued these solemn rites. 

That Ionian wench: Ionian girls were 
famous for their wanton dances. 

The three-headed dog: Cerberus, who 
guarded the gates of the nether 
world. 

The son of Maia: Hermes (Mercury), 
who escorted the souls (φυχαγωγεῖν) 
of the dead to Hades, 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 


The Aldine edition, Venice, 1499: the ““ editio 
princeps.”’ 

Recensuit, emendavit, versione ac notis illus- 
travit S. Bergler, Lipsiae, 1715. 


Cum Bergleri commentario integro, cui aliorum 
criticorum et suas notationes, versionem 
emendatam indiculumque adiecit J. A. 
Wagner, Lipsiae, 1798. 

Recensuit cum bBergleri integris, Meinekii, 
Wagneri, aliorum selectis, suisque annota- 
tionibus edidit, indices adiecit E. E. Seiler, 
Lipsiae, 1853. 

Translated from the Greek with annotations, 
by T. Monro and W. Beloe. [Apparently 
the only English version Sriblished,| 


Lettres grecques; traduites en Francois [par 
J. Richard], avec des notes historiques et 
critiques. Amsterdam, 1785. 


Lettres grecques traduites en Frangais, par 
S. de Rouville, Paris, 1874. 


A’s Briefe, aus dem Griechischen iibersetzt 
von J. F. Herel, Altenburg, 1767. 


Letteri di Alcifrone: tradotte dal Greco per 
F. Negri, Milano, 1806. 








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